“’Tell everyone to sit down,’ Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward He did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told His disciples, ‘Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.’ So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.” (John 6:10-13 NLT)
Have you ever wondered why Jesus made so much? Why all the leftovers? He’s God, He could have made exactly enough for everyone to have their full without all the excess, yet, He had twelve baskets of leftovers. And note, He didn’t want anything wasted.
Having been on three mission’s trips, I don’t waste food. Even if it’s stale, cold, or the bread is hard, I’ll eat it to keep from throwing it away. Why? Because I believe waste is dishonoring to the Lord. But neither do I stuff myself. My wife is careful to only fix what we can eat, so, we eat leftovers. Why is this even worth mentioning? Because Americans waste enough food to feed the worlds hungry, and it’s not only a shame, it’s a sin!
We not only waste food, but energy to heat or cool our residences, water, and other resources that we assume are in limitless supply. But even if they are, does that justify their waste? Not to me, and I believe, not to the Lord.
The Lord prompted me to write this, so I have to believe He has a reason. Two things come to mind. First, He had a plan for where the food was needed. John says that they had crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee. I’m just basing this on the maps of the area, but perhaps there were farms or villages besides the seaside towns where there were hungry people.
Jesus never did anything unless He had purpose in doing it. Often that purpose was only one or a few people, but other times it included thousands, as in the feeding of the 4,000 and 5,000 men, plus their families. My belief is He had the people in mind who needed it most.
But the other consideration reflects a conviction that more specifically applies to you and me. Jesus was all about abundance. Think of the grace He shared in giving His life on the Cross. He alone knew for whom He would be dying, but my conviction is if the only person who would need a Savior was you, He wouldn’t have hesitated. That’s how much He loves you.
His extravagant love was spilled out on the Cross just for you. Not one drop of His priceless blood was wasted. Just as He envisioned every mouth that would be fed by the five barley loaves and two fish of the young boy who unselfishly gave all he had for the good of others, He knew into whose lives He would “feed” His love through you.
It’s interesting that Andrew’s words were included in this passage, when he commented on the lunch the young boy offered: “But what good is that with this huge crowd?” By God’s grace take you eyes off the limited provision you have to meet your need and instead, with your eye of faith, focus on the unlimited resources He’s going to bring to bear on your problem that will literally cause you to gasp with joy!
The point of this story, as I understand it, isn’t to focus on the largeness of the need, whatever that looks like in your life, but the abundance of the Savior who has more than enough to meet your every need. All you need to do is place whatever you have in His capable hands, then trust Him to do what only He can. I believe you’ll like the abundance of His answer. I always have.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 