Photo by Dmitry Ratushny on Unsplash
By Mike Chaffin
Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” John 6:5
This is not a trick question. Jesus poses a real test question to Philip. In fact, the next verse points this out.
But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. John 6:6
God will ask questions that test our faith. He never tempts us but will evaluate us. He tested Abraham when He told him to sacrifice Isaac. He tested Joseph by putting him through many trials. He allowed the devil to test Job’s faith and righteousness. Here Jesus is testing not only Phillip but his twelve to see if any will step up in faith. Philip failed.
Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” John 6:7
Andrew did a little better.
One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, 9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” John 6:8-9
He had a glimmer of faith but could not comprehend the power Jesus was about to display. With these five loaves and two fish He fed five thousand men, plus women and children. Not to mention having food left over.
God never tempts us but will test us through trials and circumstances. He will test us on our daily walk to see if we will choose to grow in faith or fail. James tells us to count it all joy when God tests us.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4
Testing of our faith may seem harsh. However, it is part of the training God puts us through to help us grow and mature in Christ. Going through a test or searching for the answer to God’s questions all come with a reward if we manage it correctly. Success comes with rewards. The reward may be patience and becoming more like Christ here on Earth. Or the reward may come in Heaven if the testing of our faith leads to martyrdom.
Paul also tells us to evaluate ourselves to see if we are in the family of God.
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 2 Corinthians 13:5
The contemplation questions at the end of each of this year’s series are a wonderful place to start asking your own questions about your walk with Christ. Through this process you will grow closer to Christ, walk with a little more faith, and enjoy the peace of knowing Christ.
Contemplation: Have I answered God’s questions correctly? Have I the faith to pass the test? Is my walk with Christ real, marginal, or not at all?
