Most boys like to be useful; they want to be doing something. When those same boys are converted to God, there is often a great desire to serve the Lord Jesus who has loved them and given Himself for them.
Now this boy of John 6 brings out the true way to be useful. 1.) He was attracted to Jesus. 2.) He was in His company. 3.) He was useful to Him.
He Was Attracted to Jesus
We do not know what drew him whether it was a sense of sin or of need; whether an awakened conscience or an unsatisfied heart, or whether it was an interest in this wonderful Man, Jesus. Whatever it was, he had come.
Have you come to Him? You too are a sinner, and you need to be cleansed in His precious blood. Your heart can never be set at rest until you find Christ. Nothing else will satisfy. Only He can. Come to Him, boys and girls.
As a boy I came to Him. Afraid of judgment and with a longing of heart that could find no satisfaction or rest in anything,
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, worn, and sad;
I found in Him a resting place,
And He has made me glad.
I had heard of His grace to others, of His goodness to those in sorrow and distress, and of His mercy to sinners; now I taste of it all for myself.
Perhaps the boy in our chapter had heard of the Lord’s tenderness and kindness to all who came, and thus had been drawn into His presence. Anyway, he had come, and he had come to stay, for he had brought with him provisions for the way.
He Was in Company With Jesus.
He not only came, but he remained. Perhaps charmed by the Lord’s grace, he remained in His company, hearing His words and learning wonderful things from His lips as he followed him from place to place.
Then going into the mountain, the Lord Jesus desired to feed the multitude, and the opportunity comes for the boy.
He Was Useful to Jesus.
“There is a lad here,” says Andrew, “which hath five barley loaves and two small fishes.” Evidently, the boy was willing for them to be used. It may be he was near enough to hear when the Lord asked Philip, “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” and so he offered his little lunch his all—for the Master’s service.
Then in the Lord’s hands a little is made to go a long way; and so the boy’s five loaves and two small fishes become sufficient for a great multitude.
Would you like to be used of the Lord? Then first come to Him as a sinner, trust Him as your Saviour, and say to Him, as it were, “Lord Jesus, there is a lad here who would like to serve Thee.” He will use you in good time in one way or another.
The boy did not go first to Jesus to be used, but because he was attracted to Him, and being near Him was in the place where the Lord could use him, and where he could put all he had into the hands of the Saviour.
ML-12/10/1978