Blog
Let Nothing Be Wasted
“ ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.”
John 6:12-13 ESV
Have you ever wondered about the twelve leftover baskets of food after the feeding of the five thousand? In the other Gospels, this detail seems to emphasize the abundance of Jesus' miracles. There are 12 baskets for each apostle. Jesus is telling His apostles that there is good work for all of them to engage in: acts of service and help. But John, ever the unique storyteller, throws a different light on it.
John doesn't dwell on the apostles specifically. He uses the generic term "disciples" throughout the chapter. In fact, up to this point in the gospel the 12 are never referenced as a group. While we know that the 12 apostles are the closest of the disciples, we must remember that there were many followers outside of the 12 named. John has already named several. So this ambiguity of “disciples” is setting up a powerful turning point. These are the same people who witnessed phenomenal miracles, heard Jesus sermons, and were convinced of the possibility that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Yet, by the end of the chapter, after Jesus' challenging teachings, only twelve remained. Most of His disciples were disgusted by Jesus' message. At the beginning of the chapter Jesus has concern for the masses, provides bread for them, and 12 baskets are left over. While the other gospels might leave us with the reaction “Twelve whole baskets extra! Wow!”. John is leaving us with “Out of 5000+, only twelve left? Wow.”
Jesus has concern for the left overs. This may well be part of the point - the unnamed, the outcast, the looked over - these Jesus does not see as disposable. He does not let them be wasted. His concern is not for sustainable food sources. His concern is the salvation of lost souls. Here's the key takeaway: Jesus doesn't just offer blessings; he calls for humility. He multiplies the little we have and feeds our souls, but then comes the seemingly repulsive part – the demand that goes against our natural desires.
Jesus asks us to surrender our preconceived notions. We need to let go of how we think the kingdom should be, our personal definitions of glory, and the pursuit of fulfillment solely in this life. It's a radical call to replace those desires with service. Service not to the glamorous or powerful, but to those we might even consider beneath us. It's about washing feet, sharing what we have, and loving even the "pathetic hypocrites" around us.
This might seem insulting to our pride, and Jesus knows it. He's willing to risk losing followers for the sake of this radical message. In this he succeeded. Only twelve remained, but those twelve became the foundation of a movement that continues to this day.
The question for us is simple: Will we be one of the twelve? Will we see past the discomfort and embrace the call to serve?
Jesus doesn't ignore your work, your dedication, or the good you do in his name. He sees it all. None of it is wasted. But he also wants more. He wants your whole heart, your unwavering commitment to his teachings, even when they challenge your comfort zone. Remember, the twelve baskets symbolize not just the leftovers, but the potential for continued service. Will you be a part of that service, or will you walk away with the crowd? Following Jesus isn't about getting our fill; it's about giving our all.
