1-4 After this, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee (some call it Tiberias). A huge crowd followed him, attracted by the miracles they had seen him do among the sick. When he got to the other side, he climbed a hill and sat down, surrounded by his disciples. It was nearly time for the Feast of Passover, kept annually by the Jews.

5-6 When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do.

7 Philip answered, “Two hundred silver pieces wouldn’t be enough to buy bread for each person to get a piece.” (The Message)

‘The world is to be fed by the co-operation of Christ and his Church.’ F.B. Meyer

”We are workers together with God…” (2 Cor.6:1/1 Cor.3:9). Jesus gives to us the privilege of teaming up with Him in order to perform the miraculous. Even when we don’t have an answer to the challenges He poses (let alone the right answer) He still works with us to grow us, to ”stretch” our faith. He always knows what He is going to do. He is not dependant on us for advice.

‘Christ often tests us to see what we shall say and do in the presence of overwhelming difficulty, but he always knows the way out.’ F.B.Meyer

”Two hundred silver pieces” would not have been enough; but neither were they going to be needed. Jesus had another way. Faith recognises that God has other ways we may not yet have comprehended.