April 1, 2023
Collecting All the Fragments
“When they were filled, He said to His disciples, Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost. So, they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. Therefore, when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” John 6:12-14 (NASB)
My friend and I spoke about this yesterday, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” He shared this had been his prayer for years. He knows the needs of his family. He lifts them in daily prayer for salvation. I think all of us who love others share the same concern. We don’t want anyone we know to face an eternity of separation from God. I believe this too is the will of the Father that, “nothing will be lost.” There is a problem though, we are fragmented people before a holy God. All need salvation from God.
“…they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.” Many commentators have observed symbolisms of this verse. One was, “God’s abundant provision was no excuse for wasting resources… some think that the twelve baskets symbolize God’s provision for the twelve tribes of Israel. A simpler explanation is that there were twelve baskets because there were twelve apostles gathering the leftovers. Christ not only provided enough food to satisfy the hungry crowd, but also to provide the next day’s meal for the disciples.”[1] Jesus had a reason for them to gather the fragments. Maybe He knew the Jews would return to grumbling and wanting more. Maybe their attention would be toward the food not the message. Another says, “There was to be no wastefulness in Christ’s munificence. The Jews had a custom of leaving something for those that served.”[2] Perhaps it was an act of courtesy. Finally, “This sacred economy of Jesus is in harmony with and illustrative of the ways of the Creator with his universe, and of the wisdom recommended to his disciples.”[3] Whatever the symbolisms, one thing is true, Jesus wanted all the fragments gathered for His purpose. He was the provider, and His instruction was for a purpose, so that nothing would be lost.
When God blesses in abundance, we should be people of thanksgiving and moderation. We should receive as the Lord blesses, not asking for more. God knows the needs of each. If He chooses a lean or bountiful day, we should receive it with thanksgiving. Let’s face it, in America today we have more than enough food for everyone. We also have pretty much anything our hearts desire materially. What is to be learned today is God knows what people need. Sometimes He chooses to give more, but it’s more than just a feeding frenzy with no purpose. He assembled all who gathered to hear “so that nothing would be lost.” Maybe today you too have been given much from God. You’ve got so much to be thankful for from God. Would you consider taking the time to thank Him for all you have? Would you also consider sharing some with others as the little boy did for such a large crowd? Remember, all you have received is by God’s hand, not yours…
[1] (John MacArthur, 2006), 224
[2] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), Jn 6:12.
[3] H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., St. John, vol. 1, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909), 252.