When we typically think of great servants for the Lord, they are usually characterized by intense passion and faith. The Apostle Philip changes the narrative and shows that even those with weaker trust can have the right attitude about serving the Lord.
We often forget that the disciples are people just like us with personalities and flaws. Certain people are logically and mathematically driven. They think in equations and logistics and often forget the people behind the events. Philip is one of those people who chooses the options that make the most logical sense.
In John 6, we read a story where Jesus has just finished addressing a large crowd of followers. Lunchtime approaches and the disciples begin to ponder how they will feed the people.
Jesus asks Philip how they could find food, and Philip answers with a completely logical response. John 6:7 says, “Philip answered him, ‘Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.’”
Philip is faced with a large problem and his default reaction is to do the math and calculate the money.
Oftentimes we believe that God will provide for us, but we cannot see how he will accomplish his purposes.
Philip has this same problem. He sees what was right in front of him instead of what Jesus can do.
Jesus’ response was not to invalidate Philip; instead, he comforts Philip by performing a miracle to affirm his power and character. Using a young boy’s lunch, Jesus multiplies the bread and fish into a meal that feeds over 5,000 people.
Jesus does not expect us to have all the answers and know his will, he just asks us to trust him. We, like Philip, tend to overanalyze and try to mathematically solve the problems in our world, but we have to place them in God’s hands and trust him with the outcome.
