A crowd is gathered (5,000 men plus women and children, some commen- tators say upwards to 20,000 people may have been in the crowd). The hour is getting late and the crowd is getting hungry and the disciples think that they ought to send them away to get something to eat. Jesus on the other hand sees this as an opportunity to stretch their faith muscle, to build their faith walk! He tells them to feed them. They scour the crowd and come up with 2 slimy fish and 5 barley loaves from a boys’ lunch. The disciples said this is all we have and Jesus said will you be willing to release what you have so that I can do what I do. Immediately after that, Jesus sends the disciples across the lake in a boat. He dismisses the crowd and then the disciples find themselves in a storm, rowing but not getting anywhere. They look and there is a figure walking on the water, and they are terrified (I would be, too). Jesus lets them know it is Him, don’t be afraid. Jesus was not simply testing and showing off His water-walking skills, but He was preparing to take them a little further in their faith. Peter says if it is you, invite me to come to you. Jesus simply says, come. What is amazing is that Peter gets out of the boat and starts to walk. He does what he knows how to do, namely get out of the boat and walk, so Jesus can do what He does, namely help him walk on water. Remember there are 11 others in the boat.

Read John 6:1-15

Q: Is there something that you think God wants you release to Him so He can use it? Is there a need you think He wants you to meet that you feel you don’t have enough resource to meet?

Q: What keeps you from releasing what you have to God?

Q: Have you ever released something to God and watched Him do more with it than you imagined?

Q: What is an area of your life that you need to entrust to God and walk in faith?

For Further Study: Read Matthew 14