Proving Philip - John 6:6

The apostle John wrote how, “Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he said unto Philip, Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”, and in chapter six and verse six of his book, John shared how Jesus asked Phillip this question, “to prove him” where we read:

And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

The verse reads, “And this he said to prove him:”. John began with the words, “and this he said” or “and questioning where they could buy bread to feed the people was uttered, declared and proclaimed by Jesus” “to prove him” which means “to assay, test, examine and try Philip”. John shared how Jesus asked Philip the question about where to buy bread for all the people to “try and test” him.

The verse goes on to say, “for he himself knew what he would do.” John continued with the words, “for he himself knew” which means “because, since and on account that Jesus His own Self perceived, ascertained and understood” “what he would do” or “that which He would perform and produce”. John shared how Jesus already “knew” what He was going to do about feeding the people.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus “tested” Philip with His question concerning where to buy bread for the multitude who were approaching Him. Jesus demonstrated the manner of His Father God as He “tried” Philip to see how he would respond. Sometimes God wants people to be engaged with Him when He already knows what to do. He wants a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they yield their life to Him, He will not only forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life, but He will also “try” them to keep them engaged in what He is planning to do.

Next time John shares how, “Phillip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".