Aware of the great multitude drawing near, Jesus askes Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”

Philip immediately assesses the need. He scans the crowd and does some quick math. He estimates that there must be nearly 5,000 people. To feed them all, He needs at least 2,400 loaves of bread at a cost of over $4,000.

Philip shares his number with Jesus. He says, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.”.

Like Philip, we can get overwhelmed by the needs. His need was too big, the resources too few. Just like in Salem City today…and in our schools…and in my home. There is not enough time. There is not enough money. There is not enough support. There is not enough in the world.

Why did Jesus ask Philip to seek an answer to a hopeless problem? Thankfully, the scriptures tell us.

He said this to him to test him, for Jesus already knew what He would do.

On this day, He would provide the bread. Two kinds of manna would be laid before them: One temporary, one eternal. Which one would they partake of?

In the words of John Piper, “Where Christ isn’t being treasured, He’s being used.” After Jesus feeds the 5,000, many follow Him expecting to use Him for more bread, just as their forefathers did in the desert. They seek the provision not the provider. Because of this, their stomachs were filled daily for 40 years, however they were left unsatisfied. This is because men do not live by bread alone.

Jesus is the answer to His question to Philip. Is there a way for the needs to be met? Yes. Jesus is the way. Jesus is the answer to our needs. He tells us today; I am the bread of life. He is the manna. May our eyes be opened to our daily bread and may our response be faith in Him, the true bread from heaven.

In Christ,

—Roger Garrison