Meeting Human Need

4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.”

Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.

12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”  John 6:4-14

I’ve always thought this was a bit of an unfair question to put to poor Philip! Jesus sees a huge crowd coming and asks Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” Of course, Philip’s mind boggles. He hasn’t got an answer for Jesus!

But Jesus has an answer for him. And that day, 5,000 men plus women and children ate till they were full, and the disciples picked up 12 baskets of leftovers.

A similar question also faces us who are trying to meet human need. How in the world are we to care for so many new Americans, needing food, clothing, and furniture, needing lessons in English and civics and driving, needing friendship and advice, and most of all, the good news of Jesus their Savior? How are we to use our limited resources to share the love of Jesus with these people, so that they, too, may come to know the Lord who died and rose to give them life?

We have to do what Philip did—turn to Jesus and ask for his solution. And he will help us. Because he already knows what he’s planning to do. And he will honor us by using us if we trust him.

Dear Jesus, lead us so that we know what to do and how to do it, as we share your love with newcomers to our country. Amen.

By Dr. Kari Vo