John 6:1-15
“When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, 'Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.'” (John 6:12)
When the crowds approach Jesus and his disciples on the mountain, He first asks Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” Left to his own machinations, Philip thinks only of the resources he knows are within his grasp–which are few.
I imagine that in addition to feeling worried about feeding all the people, Philip feels the pressure of expectation. The teacher asked him for a plan. Perhaps he wants Jesus to be impressed by his abilities. Perhaps he also feels frustrated that his teacher seems to be asking for the impossible. He doesn’t realize that he can ask Jesus for help, or how much he can ask Jesus for.
This is a passage where we don’t hear Jesus’ lesson but actually see it. When Andrew tells of the boy who offers to give all he has, five loaves and two fish, Jesus provides for people's needs in a way that is beyond anyone’s expectations.
Like Philip, there are many times that I try to think my way out of a problem, even when I am walking with Jesus beside me. Like Philip, I feel responsible for taking action, putting all my focus into what I should be doing.
In reality, there’s nothing I can imagine that compares with what He can do if I go to Him. Like Philip did not know about the five loaves and two fish until Andrew spoke up, I can’t anticipate the solutions that God plans for me. Instead, God calls me to look to Him, to give up what I have, and trust that He will do something with it. That he won’t only use it, but multiply it.
After the whole crowd was satisfied, the fragments “filled twelve wicker baskets.” Jesus shows the disciples how he plans to fill everyone and then some. Perhaps we hold on to what we think we need because we don’t think it will be sufficient, or we only ask for what we think will be enough. While we set our hearts to give up all we have for Jesus to use, we should also expect Jesus will work in big ways. Jesus wants to give us more than enough, He wants to give us gifts overflowing.
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