"When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming towards him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ ... Philip answered him, ‘It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!’

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’ ..."

(John 6.5-11 NIVUK)

At this time, Philip was probably glaring at Andrew and gave him a look: "Are you kidding me!" Andrew knew well it was humanly impossible before he opened his mouth, "... but how far will they go among so many?"

But he wanted to be helpful.

And who was the boy? How did he know Jesus wanted to feed the big crowd? How did he come up to Andrew to offer his meal? Did someone tell him to talk to Andrew? Did he know Andrew?

The boy knew that he would have much less to eat by sharing his meal. Was that the boy's meal or his family's meal? Was he or his family moved so much after hearing Jesus that he was willing to let go of the meal?

He might gave the meal to Jesus via Andrew. And like the widow who gave up her two coins (Mark 12.41-44), the boy knew well he will go hungry that evening when he gave his meal up.

But he wanted to be helpful.

"[Jesus] already had in mind what he was going to do." He was looking for people who wanted to be helpful.

And Jesus is still looking.

See:

Only to test