Check out all the previous Ripple Effect readings here.
Ripple Effect Reading | Week 4 | Day 4
Prayer
Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Ask God to give you His wisdom today.
Bible Reading: John 6:1-14
Read these verses three times slowly.
Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
Reflection & Questions
We’ve been looking this week at the faith that it takes to serve. Today’s story is a beautiful demonstration of how a small act of service from a little boy made a huge impact. And what we see in an example to follow when we serve others.
Firstly, there’s a need. The people are hungry. The people have been listening to Jesus, and weren’t prepared with food to eat. Jesus, with a wink, asks, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”
The first response is a lack of faith: The disciples respond, we can’t afford to do anything about this! “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
Then there’s a boy, who perhaps had overheard the conversation, who offers his lunch. Again, though, there’s a pragmatic lack of faith: Peter says, “…but how far will [his lunch] go among so many?”
Then, Jesus steps up to the plate and shows how the generosity and faith of this little boy can make a huge impact when He’s involved. “Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.” Not only is the need met, but the people ate “as much as they wanted.” Incredible. All from five loaves and two fish.
Do you see a need around you that you haven’t tried to meet because you feel there’s nothing you could do about it? Perhaps you could only offer a small contribution and it seems like just a drop in the ocean. That didn’t stop the boy in our story coming forward. It shouldn’t stop us either! And who knows what Jesus will do with our contribution to meet the need and more!
- What word or phrase from our verses encourages you today?
- Where have you opted out of serving because you feel like the need is too great and your contribution feels so small? Pray about that today.
Prayer
Talk to God in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
