{{item.title | uppercase}}

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen!”
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Searching for a Miracle

Kneeling over the small couch in our RV, I poured over scripture for a verse that would bring answers or comfort. My husband’s surgery for his aortic dissection was successful, but doctors weren’t sure if he would truly recover. I was looking for anything about miracles I could include in my prayers – any verse or story that would show me a path forward.

I had no experience with such looming uncertainty, no understanding of the events surrounding major surgeries, and very little knowledge of cardiac issues. My father died of a heart attack, but his issues could be somewhat explained. What Ryan was dealing with was something altogether different and frightening. An aortic dissection is very rare and rarely survivable. We needed a miracle.

While reading about the miracle of feeding the 5,000 in John, I came across a commentary stating that this is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels. From a Literature teacher’s perspective, this really stuck out to me. What was so significant about this miracle that each author felt the need to include the story in their gospel account? John tells us that if every one of Jesus’s miracles and wondrous works were written down, the whole world would not have room for the books that were written. (John 21:25 NIV) So why did they each include this one?

Creating a Miracle

You can read the entire story in Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9, and John 6. It seems very straightforward and simple. Jesus is teaching and healing the crowds in a remote location, and the disciples worried about what these people would eat. Jesus told the disciples to feed the people, and they were dumbfounded at His suggestion. Then He proceeds to multiply some bread and fish to feed them all. Definitely a miracle and proof that God can provide for our physical needs.

The commentary I was reading then explored the miracle from the point of view of the boy whose food Jesus used. He was willing to give Jesus what he had, even though it was very little. The author said if you want a miracle, you need to be willing to give Jesus what you have, even if it is very little.

Those words struck me, and I cried out, “Jesus – I don’t even have five loaves or two fish! I have nothing! How can you use what I have for a miracle when I literally have nothing?”

I felt His Peace come over me, and I felt His presence. It was as if He were gently shaking His head, saying, “What do you think I formed the earth out of?”

Nothing. He formed the earth, the heavens, the sun and stars, all of creation – out of nothing.

Jesus doesn’t need anything from me. He just wants me.

The Real Miracle

The feeding of the 5,000 is about more than the bread and fish. It’s also about the little boy. I believe he would have been willing to help Jesus even if he hadn’t had that food. With childlike faith, I’m sure that boy loved Jesus and just wanted to be in His presence. Obviously, he was close enough to the front that the disciples saw him with his food.

I don’t think he was with family, either. Otherwise, the disciples would have said, “This family has bread…”

Additionally, the crowds had walked a long way to follow Jesus. So, this little boy did, too. He was just following Jesus, listening to His words, and was willing. Then, the Son of God used him to provide for thousands of people and to build faith not just in those who were present, but also in all who would read about it later.

Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians with this exhortation of the Lord:

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen!”
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

I didn’t receive the miracle I was praying for. But I did receive others over the next few days, weeks, and months – miracles I didn’t even know to ask for. I saw Jesus do immeasurably more than I asked or could even imagine, and He continues to do so today.

His power is at work within me, and He needs nothing from me. He just wants me to follow Him, listen to Him, and be willing to do His will. And I will do that with my whole heart, mind, and spirit forever and ever, Amen!

Dear Jesus, remind us that You can do so much more than we can imagine, without any help from us. Help us to know that You love us immensely. And You want to use us to build Your kingdom; we just have to be willing. Amen.