September 20, 2016

"After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (also called the Sea of Tiberias). A large crowd was following him because they were observing the miraculous signs he was performing on the sick. So Jesus went on up the mountainside and sat down there with his disciples. (Now the Jewish feast of the Passover was near.) Then Jesus, when he looked up and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread so that these people may eat?” (Now Jesus said this to test him, for he knew what he was going to do.) Philip replied, “Two hundred silver coins worth of bread would not be enough for them, for each one to get a little.” One of Jesus’ disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “Here is a boy who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what good are these for so many people?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” (Now there was a lot of grass in that place.) So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed the bread to those who were seated. He then did the same with the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were all satisfied, Jesus said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces that are left over, so that nothing is wasted.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves left over by the people who had eaten." John 6:1-13

Who doesn't like a miracle?

One of the reasons we like a miracle is because there are times you need a miracle.

That's exactly the point at which miracles happen - when there is a need!

Here's a little project for you, get your Bible and search it to find a time in the Old Testament or the New Testament when a miracle happened in the absence of a need.

While we love miracles we hate being needy. Do you see a problem developing here?

Unless we are willing to suffer with needs we will never see God move in miraculous ways.

In this well-known and beloved story of the Feeding of the 5,000 miracle we see this truth illustrated. Obviously, there was a great need! Upwards of 20,000 people when you factor in the women and children in Jesus' audience and they were all very hungry!

Even if there had been a McDonald's nearby or a food truck parked at the scene, feeding that many people would have been a major project! But there were all those hungry people and no food in sight!

That sounds like a great need to me!

My friend, John Maxwell summarizes the pattern for a miracle as this: "When there is a need that is sensed by a few and each individual understands his responsibility and gives his best regardless of the odds then God can do a miracle and meet the need."

Think about it. As a parent don't you find joy and satisfaction in providing something your children need that they could never get on their own?

Where do you think that desire came from? Could it be evidence of God's image placed within your psyche at Creation?

I think so!

"Brad, it sounds like you are saying we don't see more miracles because we don't like to admit we are needy."

Thanks for paying attention!

If there is no recorded incident of a miracle happening in the absence of a need then you can conclude that where there is no recognition of a need there is no miraculous deed that is done.

Let me say it again, "Where there is no need there is no miracle!"

Perhaps you needed to hear this!

Maybe you didn't realize that rather than being disgraced by your neediness you need to embrace it and entrust it to Him!

No need, no miracle!

So, if you have a need you are a candidate for a miracle!