The title phrase is part of the feeding of the 5,000 and is often overlooked; it’s an afterthought. Yet it speaks of how thorough Jesus was in his miracles. It also tells us how he wants us to feel about the miracles in our own lives. They are precious. We need to keep them gathered.
John 6:9 “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? 10 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. 11 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. 12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. 13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. 14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.”
As seasoned Christians we’re familiar with the miracles, so it’s reasonable that we lose sight of their magnitude and variety. If any type of miracle needed to happen, Jesus made it happen. Body, soul, and spirit were subject to him.
This miracle is from a different perspective. In a little town off the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee in vast acres of grass people came to hear and see Jesus. At the end of the day, Jesus saw their hunger. He told the disciples to give the people something to eat. They didn’t have anything. All that was there was the lad with two barley loaves and two small fishes. They thought it so insignificant they almost didn’t mention him.
Jesus told the disciples to get the men and their families to sit down. He gave thanks, broke the bread and fish, and broke the bread and fish, and broke…..It just kept coming. When Jesus feeds, he doesn’t cut slack. He’s not like the restaurant menu that shows a big meal, but it’s seldom like that when it gets to our plate. Jesus fed them more than they could imagine. He fed 5,000 families until each one was filled. Regardless of the appetite, no one was hungry. Jesus is always bigger than our appetite. We can’t get too hungry for Jesus. He gives far more than a portion—more than we ever could. His desire is to feed each of us.
When everyone was full, there was still food. Jesus took note of it. Each person had more than he could hold. The fragments, leftovers, were put to the side. Jesus was not going to let it go to waste. He told the disciples to gather the remains. Why was Jesus so meticulous? Why didn’t he leave it for the animals? He could do it again later. What he gives is meant to be used and not wasted or put aside. Even the little things he does for us are needed. The meal fed them, but they were hungry again the next morning. He used this to teach a lesson. They were going to leave it without realizing their need of it the next day. They followed him, and Jesus answered them and said, “verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”
There is no part of God we should consider small or insignificant. The little verses in the Bible are there for a purpose. Jesus took earthly food and made something heavenly. What we have is one single book, but it’s like the loaves and fish. The more we read the Bible, the more we’re filled. It’s for us today and tomorrow. Jesus said don’t let it go to waste.
It’s the same way with the house of God. Each fragment of our time with the Lord is precious. We never know when the time we come to church will be the last or be interrupted for a long time. Don’t take each other for granted. We’re so important to each other. Always be mindful of the fragments we have in each other and the house of God. Both hold something dear. The disciples saw pieces of food and wondered what good it was. When those fragments were gathered they were amazed. There was a basket for each of them to carry. We have more than we realize.
There is plenty to go around. Just be hungry for it. Jesus holds the blessing that feeds and keeps our soul. Never be guilty of wasting your brothers and sisters. Never be guilty of wasting communion with God. Never be guilty of wasting one page of God’s word. The Lord will always give. There will always be something in the fragments. There are endless blessings. Keep it gathered.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 