Tag: loaves

Celebrity Jesus

Barbara WeberLeave a comment

John 6:13-15 WEB

So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten. [14] When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, “This is truly the prophet who comes into the world.” [15] Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Jesus did not relish glory. Instead, he turned away from opportunities to maximize his visibility. It seems he recognized he was a king but refused to put himself in a position to be promoted. Jesus realized his kingdom could only be given to him by God. More, he did not jump to the conclusion the crowd was demonstrating God’s will. Rather, he deliberately remains obscure.

Curiously, to protect himself, he goes to the mountain alone. It seems like he would take his disciples away from the uproar. Instead, he leaves the disciples behind. Could it be Jesus did not trust the disciples to have God as their number one priority? Or, perhaps he left the disciples behind to deal with the crowd. Regardless, Jesus does not seem to have anyone to encourage him. So, he withdraws to the secret place, where he received encouragement from God.

What does it look like to receive from God? In the above passage, it looks like time alone with God. It also looks like humility. It was humility that kept Jesus from receiving fame and glory. He did not relish time in front of an audience. He relished time alone with the Father. Jesus simply loved and trusted God and relied on him as his source of encouragement.

Lord Jesus, please help me look to you for encouragement. Deliver me from any desire for glory and create in me a humble heart. Help me trust you fully. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Gathering Scraps

Barbara WeberLeave a comment

John 6:10-12 WEB

Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in that place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. [11] Jesus took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to those who were sitting down; likewise also of the fish as much as they desired. [12] When they were filled, he said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost.”

It seems strange for Jesus to demonstrate such generosity coupled with frugality.  On one hand, he miraculously produces a feast so even the least person could eat all they wanted. On the other hand, Jesus tells them not to lose the scraps.

Jesus did not want to lose the scraps. Somehow, Jesus manages to feed the people, demonstrate God’s love to everyone, and teach the disciples an important lesson. It seems clear he does not approve of loss. Jesus does not approve of waste.

Waste is an epidemic in our modern society. We buy things and keep them until we are bored with them or until they break. Then, we throw away what we no longer care about and run out to buy more. The trash dumps around the world testify to the magnitude of waste.

Of course, garbage is not Jesus’ main concern. His main concern is people being reconciled to God the Father and coming into a saving knowledge of himself. So, when I hear Jesus talk about waste, I immediately think of people. Do we ever throw people away?

Those people in our lives that take more than they give are an opportunity. Difficult relationships are not meant to be wasted, to be thrown away. Difficult people remind me of the scraps. They are the people no one wants. Yet, the people that are leftover are the very ones I think Jesus would tell us to gather.

Lord Jesus, please teach me to be both generous and frugal. Help me Lord as I turn towards those people that are easy to ignore. Protect me from harm as I open my heart to those that are less desirable. Help me make use of every opportunity to bring healing and salvation to those you bring into my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.