Small Things

Small Things (by Tim Klink of Prison Discipleship Ministry)

John 6:9 

“There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?”

The same question seems to be asked by us when we consider the enormous task of letting the world know about the unconditional love that God has for them through Jesus Christ. “I am only one” seems to be the thought that God’s enemy uses to stop any effort we may make to glorify God with our witness.

The young boy mentioned in the verse above simply went to hear Jesus teach, and what he took with him was what he would have taken to any activity that required him to be away from home over a mealtime. Barley was very plentiful in his day, and the common people used it for baking food for themselves, but also feed for their animals. The “loaves” could be compared to our muffins today.

Fish was also plentiful and a very common thing to eat. In other words, the boy didn’t have anything fancy; just common, ordinary things. What made them special is that he gave them to Jesus when asked to do so.

John 6:11 

And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. 

When given to Jesus, He accepted them, gave thanks to God for them, gave them to the disciples, and they had more than enough to feed the multitude, including the boy who brought them. In fact, there was more left over after the multitude was filled than was originally given to Jesus. Not only did the boy have more than he planned on eating, but so did the others.

Did everyone stand around praising the boy? No. What the boy had he gave away so that it no longer was his. He gave it to Jesus who in turn provided abundantly for the boy and all of those who were in need. The praise and glory went to Jesus for accomplishing what the boy could not with his small, common resources.

Give the small things in your life to Jesus and watch what happens. Something as small as a smile can be used in amazing ways to bring glory to God when placed in Jesus’ hands.