That Nothing Be Lost

Brother Tim Surber brought the message.

John 6:1-12 “After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.  And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.  And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.  And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.  When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?  And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.  Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.  One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, there is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?  And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.  And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.  When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.”

John the Baptist had just been beheaded. Jesus sent the disciples off on a mission. They were to take nothing more than what they had; Jesus did this to show them he was capable of meeting their needs. Afterward he instructed them to go to the Sea of Galilee and rest. This is the setting for the message.

Like us, Jesus got tired and hungry. He grew weary; the plan was for the disciples and him to rest. However, he did not go to the area unnoticed.  He didn’t have the leisure to just sit down and eat. He had compassion on the crowd.  He didn’t just say “I feel sorry for you” and go on. He saw sheep that needed a shepherd. Their greatest need was to know God, but he didn’t leave their other needs unmet. Likewise, Jesus should not go unnoticed in our lives. There should be a difference in us from those around us. We need to remember that there are those around us who need some compassion spiritually and physically.

Jesus saw the crowd and knew they needed to be fed. He asked Philip how they could be fed.  Philip had just returned from the mission and saw how Jesus supplied their every need. He wanted to prove it again to Philip because he had forgotten it. Sometimes we are just like Philip. We put limits on God. No matter how big the need is, Jesus is able to meet it. There is never a need to go away from the table of the Lord unfilled.

Andrew mentioned a lad who had five barley loaves and two fish and asked “what are they among so many?” He too had forgotten that Jesus can take a little, add his grace to it and end up with a lot. Jesus wanted to prove it to the disciples and the multitude. The lad was willing to give all he had to Jesus. That’s all we’re asked to do. We need to be willing. Are you sold out to the Lord? Jesus didn’t save us a little bit. He forgave all our sins and cleansed us completely. The Lord wants to bless us. We don’t have to be half empty. He’s the God of the universe.  His blessings enrich our lives. Sometimes we’re afraid to trust God. Wonder what he could do if we turned it all over to him.

Jesus told them to sit the crowd down. There were 5,000 men plus the women and children.  The lad surrendered his food. Jesus took what was available. After giving thanks, Jesus distributed the food to the disciples to give to the people. What we have in the Lord we are to give to others. Jesus not only took care of his disciples, he took care of everyone. He gave them as much as they would eat.  They didn’t leave hungry.

We don’t need to leave empty. Too many times we pray but stop before we get an answer. Jesus taught that if we ask it will be given; if we seek we’ll find; if we knock the door will be opened. God hears and will work things out. He told the disciples to gather the leftovers so that nothing would be lost. He has all and uses all his resources.

We can be a blessing to those around us. Jesus showed by example how we should do it. He involved the disciples in the work; he’ll involve us if we let him. This is the perfect time of year to spread the message to the world. God can do anything. Nothing that is given to him will be unnoticed and left undone—so that “nothing be lost.”