The next day Jesus wanted to go into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law and the Prophets: Jesus, Joseph’s son, from Nazareth.” Nathanael responded, “Can anything from Nazareth be good?” Philip said, “Come and see” (John 1:43-46, MSG).

      However, Phillip wasn’t without his questions of Jesus. Later in John’s gospel, Jesus asks Phillip where he could buy enough bread to feed a crowd of 5000 people. Phillip offered Jesus a realistic assessment. It would take two-hundred pieces of silver to feed such a crowd. This was Phillip’s way of declaring that such a feat was too impossible to accomplish.

      Phillip is really like any of us. We move between thoughts of faith and doubt when it comes to following Jesus. Our confidence varies according to the situation at hand.

      The good news is that Jesus is not offended by our doubts. Jesus even welcomes our questions. In fact, Jesus’ conversation with Phillip prior to the feeding of the 5000 was a means of stretching Phillip’s faith.

      Such is the life of a disciple. Yesterday’s faith is rarely sufficient for tomorrow’s challenges. Each new moment offers Jesus an opportunity to stretch us, that we may grow in our capacity to trust him more and more.

      So, be of good courage. Ask your questions. Claim your doubts. And don’t let fear keep you from moving ahead. My hunch is that, like Phillip, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the new-found confidence you are granted.

Prayer:

I’m so glad I learned to trust You,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend
And I know that You are with me,
Will be with me to the end.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust You!
How I’ve proved You o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust You more!