April 3, 2025
Feeding 5,000 - Part 4
John 6:12-13
04/03/2025
12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his
disciples, ``Gather up the leftover fragments,
that nothing may be lost.''
13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets
with fragments from the five barley loaves, left
by those who had eaten. (ESV)
Each morning when we arise, we give thanks to God for
protecting us during the night. We also ask Him to be with us
during to day to guide us in all we do. Many people recite the
prayer Jesus gave His disciples, asking, ``Give us this day our
daily bread.'' God provides for our needs, and He expects us to
be good stewards of the gifts He provides.
And when they had eaten their fill, he told his
disciples, ``Gather up the leftover fragments, that
nothing may be lost.'' So they gathered them up and
filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five
barley loaves, left by those who had eaten.
How do we handle the gifts which God gives? Are we willing
to share with others, to be the hands through which our Lord
provides clothing and shelter and food to our neighbors and those
in need? Are we willing to look at the abundance of His gifts
and preserve them for our future use? Jesus' simple request says
that our Lord expects us to act wisely with those things
entrusted to us, be it food or clothing or money.
In faith we accept God's gracious gifts and use them for our
benefit and for the good of others. This is especially true of
the gift of faith, the peace which we receive from knowing that
our sins are forgiven. We speak of this gift of salvation,
sharing it with those who do not know the love of God, who worry
about their daily bread and their eternal life.
May our Lord grant us wisdom to use His gifts properly and
to His glory. Amen.