The Un Stars

Journal for Christa—

Peter, James, and John—they were the stars, often referred to as Jesus’ inner circle. Take them away, and that leaves nine. Take away Judas, the betrayer, and that leaves eight. Eight disciples who walked with God, saw the miracles, and went on to live lives of service after Jesus’ ascension. Little is said about some of them—not more than the mention of their names on the list.

There is, though, a brief conversation (recorded for us) among Jesus, Philip, and Andrew preceding the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus asks them where they’ll buy bread for so many people. Philip says that it would take “eight months salary,” and Andrew mentions the “five loaves and two fish,” but dismisses them as well.

In thinking about Philip and Andrew, I have to admit I’m very much like them in this regard. Philip basically says, “We don’t have that kind of money.” Andrew, perhaps somewhat more optimistic, points out what’s there. (Maybe he’d been wondering about food since he’d already taken notice of how little there was.) Regardless, they weren’t expecting much. How foolish of them. How foolish of me.

Jesus can work miracles, but just because He can doesn’t mean he will. And because he doesn’t always, perhaps that’s why I rarely look for them. It’s interesting that Jesus brought the whole thing up to begin with because He “already had in mind what he was going to do” (Jn. 6:6).

I tend to worry about all sorts of things from people to situations. I know Jesus can and does work miracles. I’ve seen some of them. But, in the daily routine of life, I’m not usually looking for them.

But, just what if—

What if something really breathtaking is around the next curve—

—because God already has in mind what he’s going to do?