Don’t limit the limitless God.

John 6:1-21 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). ² A large crowd was following Him, because they were watching the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. ³ But Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. ⁴ Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. ⁵ So Jesus, after raising His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread so that these people may eat?” ⁶ But He was saying this only to test him, for He Himself knew what He intended to do. ⁷ Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not enough for them, for each to receive just a little!” ⁸ One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, ⁹ “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?” ¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people recline to eat.” Now there was plenty of grass in the place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. ¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were reclining; likewise also of the fish, as much as they wanted. ¹² And when they had eaten their fill, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover pieces so that nothing will be lost.” ¹³ So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. ¹⁴ Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

¹⁵ So Jesus, aware that they intended to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself, alone.

¹⁶ Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, ¹⁷ and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. ¹⁸ In addition, the sea began getting rough, because a strong wind was blowing. ¹⁹ Then, when they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat; and they were frightened. ²⁰ But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” ²¹ So they were willing to take Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

We cannot fully comprehend the infinite and eternal God with our finite minds. Neither should we limit Him by our understanding. He is not limited by the natural because he is supernatural. We see several examples of this in today’s text. It says:  “Where are we to buy bread so that these people may eat?” But He was saying this only to test him, for He Himself knew what He intended to do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not enough for them, for each to receive just a little!” One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline to eat.” Now there was plenty of grass in the place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were reclining; likewise also of the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover pieces so that nothing will be lost.” So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.  Other accounts of this miracle tell us that along with the 5000 men, there were also women and children who ate and were satisfied, so the total may have been 10000, 15000 or more, who ate, as much as they wanted from the five loaves and two fish. If that were not amazing enough, when all were done eating, there was more leftover than when they started. God’s ability to provide is unlimited. Only we, through unbelief can limit what God can do. Ephesians 3:20-21 says:  Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The text says:  Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. In addition, the sea began getting rough, because a strong wind was blowing. Then, when they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat; and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” So they were willing to take Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.  Jesus was not limited by or subject to the laws of nature and physics. He walked on the water. There are other accounts that tell us that Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves. In Matthew 8:27 it says:  The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”   Mark 4:41 says:  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”  God is not subject to natural things, rather all things are subject to Him. The text tells us that when Jesus got into the boat, immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. God is not limited by time or space. He is eternal, infinite and omnipresent.

In what things are you limiting what God can do for you to your own understanding?  Does the problem you are facing seem too big? God is bigger. The whole earth and the heavens cannot contain Him. Does God seem too far away?  I can assure you He is right there with You. In Deuteronomy 31:6 God says:  “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”  Hebrews 4:15-16 says: We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Jesus was not limited as we are. He came and died for our sins and was raised from the grave to life. Even death could not limit Him. Jesus calls us to follow Him, to live a life beyond the limits of human understanding, to live as Him, in the supernatural power of the Spirit. In John 10:10 He says: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.  Don’t let the thief steal, kill or destroy what Jesus has done for you. Don’t limit the limitless God. Beyond our ability to comprehend, believe. The abundance of God is exceedingly more than we could imagine.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.