Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Tuesday's Unwrapped

 

Sunday night I was reading the story of Jesus feeding the large crowd to my boys when a verse stood out at me.  I've read this story 100 times and never saw this.

'So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.'  John 6:13


This statement is made after the people had been fed from the young boy's lunch of 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish.  A lot of people.  A whole lot of them.  What struck me is the amount of leftover food they collected.  Bear with me here...there were 12 disciples.  I can see them walking among this huge throng of people collecting what was left over.  I'd think they were already stunned beyond belief that Jesus had performed this miracle.  But as the twelve gathered back together with their baskets, each one was full.

Why would He have chosen to do it this way?  He'd already performed the miracle so why did He need to go further?  I think it was to show each individual disciple a piece of His grace.  He didn't have to feed these people.  He could've sent them home to eat.  But He chose to perform a miracle that day to show his followers how much He cared for them.  Cared for them enough to feed them, all of them, and still have excess. 

Just like His love for us.  He loves us in our depravity.  He loves us in our 'hunger' and our fullness.  He loves us no matter where we find ourselves...and He still has love left over.  Even if our faith is lacking He will still come through for us.  And we can collect the leftovers!
Area near Sea of Galilee where feeding of the people took place-can you imagine?!

8 comments:

Jenifer Metzger said...

Great post Allison! I love where you said, He loves us in our hunger and inour fullness. So true. God loves us. We just have to learn to accept His great love. Thanks for this.

Heidi said...

Even after it all... "He still has love left over." I love that. We'd tire of loving such a sinner, but that's why He is God. Thanks Allison!

Shelly said...

So true....and I can't imagine where I would be without His undending love and grace. Thanks and nice to meet you! (I'm following Heidi around today and meeting new friends...lol).

Unknown said...

Awesome! His grace is more than enough for us. God will always have more than enough love for us. That's incredible!

Eileen said...

Great post! God always goes above and beyond our expectations. And His love for us never runs dry. Thanks!

Momma Jensen said...

I always loved the fact that there were 12 baskets of food leftover. Isn't that just like God to show each of us how amazing He is?

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Phather Phil Malmstrom said...

You know Allison, I never really thought about that verse either... Such abundance! His Gifts to us truly do overflow.

Have a Blessed Day!

Ken said...

What an awesome God we serve! Thank you for sharing and may the Lord bless you.