# 110 Andrew the Simpleton

 

# 110 Andrew the Simpleton

 

Joh 6:8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him,

 9 "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" 10 Then Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

 

The disciples are still trying to answer Jesus’ question, “Where shall we buy bread that these may eat?” Andrew blurts out, “There’s a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish.” I wonder if anyone laughed at his remark? “Good one Andrew! Let’s just get a really sharp knife and we’ll divide it equally with the crowd!” Or, “Great idea Andrew! Anyone remember to bring the blender? We’ll make fish and bread smoothies!”

 

Andrew catches himself immediately and says, “But what is this small amount of food among so many?” I have one word to describe Andrew here…..simpleton. That seems harsh I know, but that’s the beauty of these men that Jesus chose to follow Him and eventually set the world on fire with the Holy Spirit empowered gospel! They were simple men with simple faith in Jesus!

 

Listen to what happens next! Jesus says, “Make the people sit down.” Understand the meaning of those words. In modern terminology Jesus was telling the disciples to tell the people to pull up a chair and have something to eat! I tell you that is faith!

 

Remember the wedding at Cana? Jesus turned water into wine and we saw the simple faith of the servants in action! Mary had told them, “Whatever He says to you, do it!” And the servants, with the great risk of looking like fools did it! Then they drew what had been water out of the pot and gave it to the master of the wedding. What if the water remains water? How will the servants look then? But they believe and do exactly as Jesus commanded them, and the miracle followed!

 

The disciples knew all they had were a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread, yet they obeyed. They gave no thought to being embarrassed. They trusted Jesus so much that they took the bold step of making everyone sit down as if they were going to be fed!

 

Simple faith! Amazing miracle!

 

Oh that we simpletons would learn such trust in our Master! Oh that we would learn to take what we have and give it to Jesus. Have Him touch it and then give it to others! How sweet and satisfying it would be to those on the receiving end, and how are simple faith in Jesus would bring glory to God!