Fishes and Loaves

We have heard the story from John 6:5-13 of the "fishes and loaves." What an amazing story it is and what a tremendous example of what Jesus can and will do with something small that perhaps no one really sees as being "enough" or capable of making a difference. Apparently Jesus sees things from a radically different perspective than perhaps most of us do when there are people in need. As Philip (appropriate) says to Jesus in this passage "six months wages would not be enough to feed all these people", so I guess it would be possible he may have thought that there just was not much use in trying (like I said, appropriate from a name basis and a heart that lacks faith at times, just like this Philip).

I love the fact that Jesus specifically asks him this pointed question, which of course was rhetorical, any question Jesus asks He already knows the answer to. The question is not to be informative for Jesus, but to allow Philip to have a bird's-eye view into the condition of his own heart and to reveal the doubt that was lingering within. Remember now, this was not Philip's first day of on the job training. Jesus had given him the "follow me" command back in John chapter 1. Philip had gone and told Nathaniel in John 1:45 "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (esv). Of course this being that great line in the Bible where Nathaniel shows the same heart that we often do when someone does not come from our "side of the tracks" or perhaps did not grow up in the mansion on the hilltop, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (can you just envision the hand on the hip, smirk on the face, the "whatever" posture?) Philip's response today would have been "dude, check it out!" or maybe "Bro, you gotta see this!"

So what is my point? My point is that I have a vision and this passage speaks very directly to it. The sentence in this chapter that really jumped out at me was "Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost" (6:12, esv). Personally, I cannot think of any passage in the Scriptures that would speak more clearly to what WE are called to do within the society in which we live. I believe God is calling me to be the voice of the "fragments". I would not say that He is calling me to any great position of leadership or authority, though I would welcome the audience of someone like Bono on the issue of world poverty, not for attention but for the results of what a voice like Bono can accomplish. However, I do read my Bible and I know that my Bible tells of countless stories of guys (and girls) like me who are unheard of, have no celebrity or fame, are rough around the edges, have blown it tremendously at times and come from pasts that we (I) are not proud of but would not trade for the world.

In my heart right now I know that Jesus could have used anything He wanted to feed those people. Jesus could have created the world's largest sushi platter or thousands of medium rare rib-eyes with steak fries and sweet tea (extra lemon) right there on the spot. He could have snapped his fingers and brought Emeril into creation at that very instant in time to prepare the meal and spoken into existence a palace a thousand time more grand than any cathedral on earth for them to dine in. But he chose something like a few smoked Talapia perhaps (native to that area) and some baguettes from Panera Bread.

The "what" He chose is not as important to me as "who" He chose and "how" He chose to do it. He chose a doubting man named Philip, an obedient little boy (could we insert our name here) and in a way that even the fragments (or leftovers) were able to be gathered up so that nothing at all was lost. They had to think He was crazy for thinking so large. The boy had to just be standing there, like kids do, not understanding but willing to be vulnerable and trust. And the people had to have been amazed! The end result, as it always should be, is God getting the glory for sending His Son into the world to radically help these everyday people who at that time were unable to help themselves!

Please pray with me about "gathering up the leftovers that [no one] may be lost." With the faith of this little boy, no matter how small our contribution to the world may seem, lets just give it over to Jesus and watch Him do what only He can. I know that personally I am far too much like this biblical example of a Philip and the word "but" is far too often a part of my vocabulary. Please help me pray! According to SAMHSA (U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) one of every eight Americans has a significant problem with alcohol or drugs, with 40 percent of the group having a "dual diagnosis," or concurrent mental/nervous disorder." Fragments? I know from experience and exposure that there are millions and WE are the people Jesus is speaking to and saying "look at all these people, they are hungry, how will we feed them?" His question to us is rhetorical as well because He already knows the answer!

Philip