Shout out to the side kick!
Superheroes are today’s most popular entity. Whether it is a television show, movie, cartoon, or Sunday lesson, there are superhero stories everywhere. One of my absolute favorite movies about superheroes is called the Incredibles. First released in 2004, this movie follows a family of superheroes in a town where superheroes were forced to hide their abilities. To be honest, I think that same town exists all over the world. The difference is that no one is forcing our heroes to hide. They are either avoiding the opportunities to use what they have or they are using just enough of their abilities to avoid the spotlight.
The heroes are you and I – the everyday mom, dad, boss, employee, teacher, student, and friend individuals.
You see, no one dreams of doing just enough. Dreams are comprised of the extraordinary, the outrageous, and amazing. Yet, these types of dreams will never be achieved through mediocre efforts. We were made to be super!
The notable boxer and now actor Mike Tyson said, “I'm a dreamer. I have to dream and reach for the stars, and if I miss a star then I grab a handful of clouds.”
That is what I call “all or all” dreams. Dreaming without doing was not an option for Mike Tyson. If Mike fell he never failed because Mike grabbed everything his hands could hold.
It’s give all and learn all.
Give everything you have and learn everything you can in the process.
Recently I was reviewing a classic bible story about a young guy. In fact, he was a superhero even though he wasn’t the main hero. This guy was more like the trusty sidekick that handed the superhero their tools. Everybody has a part in saving the day.
Remember this, the morning’s sun and the evening’s stars are both stars – they just shine at different times but they both provide light.
Our unlikely hero was young and not as known yet his time to shine shows up in John 6:1-14.
Jesus has just fed 5,000 plus people with great Gospel teaching and now they are physically hungry. How can one man feed many in one evening with one meal? There are several miracles in this story, but I want to focus on the little superhero that gave his all.
John 6:9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
1. Young does not mean incapable.
The bible teaches us that age does not always denote maturity (1 Timothy 4:12). You may be young in age, new to the company, a newlywed, or fresh out of school but you have something that everyone needs. Don’t allow your youth deter you from making grown decisions.
History tells us that the young boy in our passage could have been there as an onlooker but quite possibly he was there selling food.
One of the youngest American millionaires is a pre-teen by the name of Mikaila Ulmer. At 11 years old she founded Me & the Bees lemonade, a national product sold in Whole Foods and other retailers. The delicious lemonade is made from a unique recipe that includes flaxseed and local honey.
Her company’s mission is ‘Beelieve’. It’s a simple yet profound message to dream big and do big things always!
So, how does a little girl take the refuse of a lemon and make a business and a young boy take scraps and make a mass meal?
Use what you have and trust your creator. Not only does God order your steps, He authors your purpose.
2. Value is relative to the provider
John 6:9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
ü Barley was considered coarse meal for animals – horses and camels
ü The fish was portioned fish – like larger catfish nuggets
Although the items were deemed unsatisfactory to the disciples and insufficient for the crowd, the boy saw its value and Jesus knew its potential.
Why would the little boy sell something no one would purchase and why would Jesus accept something He could do nothing with? The creator or provider determines the value of a resource. Stop allowing broke individuals determine your worth. People who are broken spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or otherwise will always undervalue what isn’t’ theirs.
Why do we look at what we have created as just average? Someone wants what you’re providing. And when your sells have waned or plateaued that is when you engage a greater distributor.
You have exactly what Jesus needs.
Being a hero for others is a matter of using what you have to be a help to others. It isn’t the well-worded speech, the massive sum of money, or even a miracle antidote – it is the timing to give your best when it is needed.
3. Will you give it all?
John 6:9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Every little bit that the boy had produced everything the crowd needed and more.
If we are going to trust Jesus to help us find/show love we can’t give him a piece of our heart…
If we are going to trust Jesus to help us launch our/other’s dreams we can’t give him partial authority…
If we are going to trust Jesus to heal emotions we cant hold back a portion of our issues…
The boy gave everything that he could carry to Christ and took his hands off. He emptied himself, for others, through Christ and was rewarded with abundance.
What are you holding back from the great multiplier?
Our little boy became a great hero with his little food that he put in Jesus’ great hands. Will you be a hero today? You can have the supporting role and still be important
- Robin still got credit with Batman
- Everyone loves Chewbacca
- Donkey made Shrek cool
God will be glorified from your willingness to give!
Stop hiding who you are and what you can do with the help of Jesus.
Lastly, a great theologian named Dr. Davenport challenged me to review the numbers in this passage.
The boy had 2 fish and 5 barley loaves. Together those equal 7. Biblically, the number two signifies man or division and five is the number of grace. Yet, when separation meets grace we have wholeness – the number seven. Even more exciting is the 12 baskets that remained. Most would assume that the 12 baskets represented the disciples and overflow for His followers. Twelve is also the number for government. God’s grace in the midst of great need and division will bring wholeness and He, in that moment and even today, will establish Himself anew in government.
#JustWhatHeNeeds #AllThat #HeroInMe
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