John 6:11-13 Seeing the miraculous_
Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. John 6:11-13 NIV
Multiplication. Everyone was filled! And then they collected 12 baskets of leftovers. One basket for each of his disciples that stood as a testimony. But how did it happen? Like trying to catch the magician’s slight of hand, I want to see exactly when it occurred.
When the galaxies were created, no person saw it. When the seed begins to sprout within the earth’s soil, it is out of sight. When there is a spark of interest between a man and woman, it happens secretly. When the baby forms in the womb, it is completely hidden. When the angel visited Mary, and again Joseph, and told them that she would be the mother to the Savior, they both chose to believe—and kept it between themselves. When I surrender my heart to God, it’s between only the two of us. No one saw the bread or fish multiply, but it doesn’t matter, everyone was fed.
The most profound miracles in life take place… Out. Of. Sight. We may not see the miracle, but we see the result.
On several occasions Jesus performed healings and told the healed not to tell anyone about it:
Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” Matthew 8:4 NIV
And when his disciples understood his identity:
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. Mark 8:29-30 NIV
It’s humbling to understand this. He doesn’t want the signs, miracles or oddities of the kingdom to inform us, he wants his love to. When I see and experience his affection for me, I begin to understand the great lengths to which he goes to create and sustain life within and around me. There are incredible miracles taking place constantly. But only when I’m convinced of his love do I begin to see them. It’s ironic that so many demand a sign in order to believe when a willingness to believe is the gateway to seeing a sign. We see with our hearts, not our minds.
Why can’t I see the actual miracle occur? There is a side effect to an irrefutable sign: it polarizes. Faith becomes stronger. But so does unbelief and an intransigence in a position. When Lazarus was raised from the dead (a few chapters later in John) the people saw the sign—it absolutely astounded and convinced those who were leaning toward faith. But incredibly, many who even before it happened had refused to believe Jesus was the Messiah continued to reject him. They went to the Pharisees to tell them about what happened. And it was at this precise moment they determined to put their plan in action to kill him. The raising of Lazarus, and the multiplication of food to the 5,000 only confirmed, blessed, and created joy and awe in those that already had the seed of faith in their heart. The miracle only watered that seed and caused it to grow. But for those that do not believe, it caused a different response, and in the case of Lazarus, the unthinkable.
When I contemplate the multiplication of the fish and loaves, it makes me smile to think of the many stories that are hidden, out of sight, multiplied in each of his people. His supernatural interactions in each of our lives. God lives in the miraculous, but he is not impressed with it — man is. I will look for him and his supernatural hand today. I may not see how it happens, but I will notice the results which will point right back to the baskets where the miraculous occurred.
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. Proverbs 25:2 NIV