LIMITED VISION

In John 5:5-7, Jesus challenges Philip to see beyond the horizon. A large crowd is approaching Jesus and it is supper time and Jesus stirs Philip's thinking with this question, "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" Philip's answer betrays his thoughts. He was thinking of the expense involved rather than the source of the provision. Jesus was not interested in the cost, he was interested in moving Philip to see who alone could provide in a situation like this. I, like Philip, too often see the cost involved rather than to whom I can turn for this to be provided. Jesus' question was not, "can we afford it?"; but rather, "who are we gonna turn to for provision?". We are also told that when Jesus asked this question, he already knew what he was going to do. Jesus did not ask Philip to provide, he just wanted to see to whom Philip would turn. Jesus was prepared to act, would Philip turn to Jesus for that provision. Philip could see the crowd but he missed Jesus right next to him. Philip could see the problem, but he did not see the Provider. Our vision is not limited when we cannot see the whole problem, rather, our vision is limited when we do not see the Problem Solver. May God grant us the wisdom to turn to Him as provider rather than surveying the problem looking for a human solution.