He Said This to Test Him

Day 129: John 6:1-21

“He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.” - John 6:6 ESV

I've always found this verse to be fascinating. If Jesus knew what He was going to do, why would He ask Philip a question about where they were going to get all of the food for this crowd that probably could have packed Gainbridge Fieldhouse?

Well, John tells us. It was to "test" him. The Greek word for test is peirazō, and it can also be translated as make proof or examine. Jesus was a master at teaching, always looking for an opportunity to stretch the understanding of His disciples. This experience was going to be another faith exercise to show what Jesus could do. This same word was used to describe what the Pharisees did to Jesus in order to try and trap Him (see Mark 10:2). They were testing in order to trap. Jesus was testing in order to teach and foster faith.

We are all, even today, disciples (apprentices) to Jesus. Do you think He would test us in the same way He did in our reading today with Philip or even as he did with Abraham (see Genesis 22:1)?

We need to know that God deeply desires that we grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). He will never approve of us stagnating.

When God allows any circumstance to happen in your life, you need to know that it is an opportunity for Him to make proof to the world of how genuine your faith in Him really is.

Jesus is always moving forward, doing the impossible, and has invited us to join Him for the ride.

"Testing can be negative (cf. 8:6), or positive as it is here. Jesus’ purpose was to test Philip’s faith in him and confirm it with the miracle to follow." - Kruse, C. G. (2003). John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 4, p. 162)