In John Chapter 6, Jesus had been teaching and healing and a large crowd had begun to follow Him. Verse 5 says “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?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do”. Verse 9, says “there is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many? Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 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.” After Jesus had fed the five thousand, with the boy’s five loaves of bread and but two fish, and “everyone had eaten their fill”, there were twelve baskets left over. (more than enough)
Time and time again we see this principle played out in our lives. We offer what we have and God makes the increase. When I was 23 and my little brother was only 10, on this particular day in his public school classroom, they had a substitute teacher who randomly (yet not random at all) gave the young class the word of God. She told them the bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17; if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. Such big words for such small children. She also told them, that if they asked……God would make them a new creature. My little brother pondered these words and believed. He asked God to make him a new creature. And God did!
At the young age of 10, my little brother became a brand new creature and we all watched in awe, as his life changed before us. He was already sweet, caring and trustworthy. You could always count on him to do the right thing, but he, as all of us, had a sinful heart that needed a savior. That day, he met the Savior and got a new heart. He started telling others about Jesus. God’s word was continuing to move and work in the lives of those around him. Little children were telling their parents they needed Jesus. God took the offering of this substitute teacher and began feeding many.
My parents were good people, but they didn’t know Jesus like this. They wanted what he had. So, they asked God to make them a new creature. Then, there were 2 more. God was making things “new”. My dad was a cop and began telling his coworkers about Jesus. Policemen were becoming new. My mother prayed fervently for her other 4 children. She began giving that Word to the rest of us. We rejected it for many months. I was happy with my life and wasn’t looking for a change. But faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. She continued to give us scripture……..my faith was born…….I became new. In the span of 1 year this family of 7 found Jesus because someone brought a small offering. That family of 7 is now a family of over 40, telling others of the one who makes all things new.
The teacher? We don’t know her. She was just there for a day. But we love her, and we thank God for her because she changed our lives forever. We wonder if she’s in heaven now. We wonder if she can see the ripple of souls coming to Jesus because of her small offering.
- Debbie Walker
