Jesus Knows What to Do

"Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" ⁶ But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do."

John 6:5-6

When Jesus asked Philip where they should buy bread for a great multitude of people, it was not because Jesus was ignorant of the situation.  Jesus asked already knowing what He would do.  Because God is all-knowing and the source of all wisdom and understanding, He does not need to rely upon advisors, news reports or messengers.  Jesus revealed Himself to be the Living Bread come down from heaven, the Son of God, when He fed the 5,000 to the full with only five loaves and two fish.  I am amazed and in awe of God who has purposes, plans and foreknowledge of all that will happen for eternity.  No backup plans are needed for the God who knows and does all.

I had a friend in university who was studying to be a landscape architect.  He had impressive knowledge of different plants and their Latin names I had never heard before.  To perform well in his role it was necessary for him to know what varieties of plants would be suitable for different environments, how they grew, and the proper placement of trees with an eye on the future.  It would be silly to put a tree that needs full sun in the shade, or to plant palm trees near a footpath where in a few years it would lift and crack concrete.  An experienced gardener will know where particular plants will thrive:  how to amend the soil, when to feed, the best ways to prevent pests and when a trim is needed.

I remember walking by a little apple tree that must have had 30 apples on it, and it was hardly over a metre tall!  Because the buds had not been pulled off to stimulate growth and the maturity of branches, the poor little thing was struggling under the weight of fruit.  Pieces of wood had been situated under pencil-thin limbs to keep them from breaking off the trunk.  The heavily-laden tree that was not pruned stands in contrast to what Jesus said in John 15:1-2:  "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."  God knows better than any vinedresser on earth what conditions are ideal for fruitfulness, and He prunes, supports and protects branches who abide in Jesus Christ.  The fruitful branches are not neglected but shaped and prepared to be even more fruitful.

We often do not know what to do, but Jesus always knows what He is doing and going to do.  What joy and rest this gives those who abide in Christ, for our fruitfulness is from Him and for Him.  When the fruit of our lips is sweet praise and thanksgiving to God, He is glorified.  When the fruit of the Spirit is revealed through our motives, actions and attitudes, God's grace and power is magnified.  Should our testimony result in more souls being added to the kingdom of God and the church is edified, exalt His holy name!  When we rejoice in trials and persecution to be counted worthy to suffer for His name and faith, hope and love are exhibited in and through our lives, all glory goes to Jesus who has made us fruitful by the Holy Spirit.  Without Jesus we can do nothing, yet when we abide in Him He knows how to make us most fruitful.