Reflection on John 6:1-15

Scripture
The people ate all they wanted and Jesus told the disciples to gather the leftovers so that nothing would be wasted

Observation
This is virtually the same narrative as in Mark, with the difference that John records that it was Andrew who brought the little boy with the lunch to Jesus. Several times in John's gospel we see Andrew playing this facilitating role of bringing people to Jesus.

It is striking that Jesus, despite His grandiose provision of food, wants nothing of it wasted. It is a generous act of God's provision, but He wants the people not to take it for granted.

God is abundant in His gifts to us, but does not delight in waste.

Application
It is not a big deal for God to feed 5000 men plus women and children from a boy's lunch.

It is a big deal for us to learn to trust Him for everything we need. In the wilderness, where there is nothing, God is still able to provide more than enough for His people.

That should prompt us to be able to trust Him for all that we need. When we are following Jesus there should be no lack, no hunger, no poverty. God's multiplication makes more leftovers than there were ingredients to start with.

What of those leftovers? Presumably they were to share with those who weren't there; the people who, for whatever reason, where NOT following Jesus that day. So God blesses us with more than enough- so we can bless unbelievers.

Prayer
God your grace is amazing! Help us to have so much faith in your abundant grace, that we have enough left over to share, not just with the church, but with unbelievers also. Amen.