“Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples… 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. Philip answered him, ‘Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘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.’ Now there was much grass in the place. 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. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, ‘This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!’” John 6:3,5-14
Jesus regularly tucked His disciples into His teaching and ministry in unconventional ways. While He did instruct and explain along their travels and through their days, He was also a Master of Socratic discovery and personal involvement that engaged them firsthand in far-reaching lessons. Knowing His broad purpose, He challenged assumptions, probed hearts, and stoked faith by making them answer hard questions. He then worked through the answers and possibilities garnered to nurture, reveal His power, and inspire wonder. (Luke 6:1-5; John 5:2-9; 8:2)
In our day, not only are answers readily available at search or click, but questions are pre-formed and prescribed. Impersonal algorithms determine what we’re to ask and how to respond. We can become lazy in both discovery and wonder due to instant information.
But the God who made our minds and works constantly to sanctify and conform us to Himself intends that we interact with Him and our world first-hand. He develops our curiosity, decision- making, problem-solving, and faith by presenting us with practical and spiritual conundrums we must confront. How willing are we to engage with Him? Are we in close enough communion to receive His questions, and committed enough to search for answers?
Where have we grown slothful in study and discovery? In what areas are we complacent to let others tell us how to think and what to do? When is the last time we thought through a concept to its logical conclusion, or imagined a new solution, or birthed a fresh idea on our own? Do we regularly regurgitate what someone else has told us is true, or look to ‘experts’ to form our opinions? Or do we seek the mind of Christ and submit to His transforming and spiritual inspiration? (Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:16)
Lord, keep me stretched and determined in interaction with You so Your ways are known and glory magnified.
As the rain and snow 