David Bahn – Reflections

John 6:10-14
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

This delightful story of Jesus feeding the 5000 is a Sunday School boy’s delight – especially if the creative Sunday School teacher brings in Goldfish(R) for the children to eat as part of the lesson! Even for a seasoned Bible student, however, there is plenty to chew on (sorry – couldn’t resist the pun!).
Here we have abundant provision, doubting disciples, hungry people, and a boy with two fish and five loaves of bread. Indeed, “But what are these among so many?” The answer, it turns out is, “plenty!”
And here is the lesson for us. This is not a fable intended to teach us not to be wasteful. This is a miracle of God’s provision. And Jesus’ instruction to pick up the leftovers is not just a symbolic lesson to show us how much Jesus provided (this is the miracle after all – whether there are leftovers or not!).
It seems to me that Jesus is telling us something about the way we receive and steward God’s abundant provisions. We live among such abundance every day. We take for granted that we will have all kinds of fish, 20, 30, or more different kinds of bread, and a wealth of other food to choose from whenever we go to the store. So when Jesus tells the disciples to gather up the leftovers after feeding 5000 men plus the women and children, perhaps he is saying something about the way we receive, use, enjoy, and care for the miraculous provisions that he supplies.
Make no mistake: this is a story of Jesus’ miraculous power and glorious provision of food for more people than 500 times as much fish and bread would normally feed. It is a reflection of God’s provision for the children of Israel as they wondered in the wilderness and ate manna 1500 years prior to Jesus. It is testimony of Jesus’ identity as the Son of God.
But lest we take for granted God’s provision – miraculous and daily – Jesus tells the disciples to gather the leftovers so that “none will be lost.” Every morsel of God’s provision is precious! Are there some fragments of God’s grace in your life ready to be found, gathered, and treasured once again?