Pastor Ralph Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 Q4. (John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 Q4. (John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? He's a generous giver, Who wastes nothing! To be wasteful is to be ungrateful! If we care for what He gives us, He can trust us with more. What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? I see in this a reverence for His Father's provision...a holiness like the daily manna He sent to the Israelites. He gave them as much as they needed for each day...and enough for the Sabbath so that there was provision without them having to gather on that day. If they hoarded more than they needed it got wormy. He was demonstrating that He is our source of daily provision...He sees our needs before we know we have them, and sends what is needed on time. What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? He demonstrated that He's a generous Father...not stingy or miserly, but is all about stewardship of what He gives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissioned Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 Q4. (John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? In my opinion, I believe that Jesus had the disciples pick up the pieces of leftover so that nothing was wasted. We too should not be wasteful. In this Jesus taught His disciples that out of little He could multiply to abundance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarence Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 (John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? According to the notes it was the Jewish custom to collect up what was left over at the end of the meal. The baskets full of leftover food also served to illustrate God's abundant provision (Mark 8:19). What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? I would like to think that Jesus cared for the natural environment- after all He created it! He did not want to leave food littered all over the hill side. This generation would not only leave food left overs littered all over the hillside but also the wrappers which the food came in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blezed Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? 1. To make the point to them that God's provision that day has not been merely adequate, but more than enough to meet the need. What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? 2. Jesus attitude towards waste was that nothing is wasted. God gives in abundance but because there is abundance He does not want waste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delivered Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Q4. (John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? The food left over represented far more than that which nourishes the body, this food represents the miracle of God’s “compassion” for the people, my heart tells me the “real” reason Jesus had them pick up the left-over food went far beyond that of being clean and orderly, it represents to us how important it is that we be “Good Stewards” with the things, the blessings of God. Q. What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? The law of the land was that destruction of food was prohibited – in other words, waste not - want not, Jesus set an example that went beyond the legalism of the law and teaches us not to be wasteful, indifferent, or take for granted the blessings we have, but to take each day as they come, for those crumbs have not been left behind but are stored in our hearts. Q. What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? For me the lesson of abundance is found in “obedience”, the people sat down as they were instructed to do, the disciples did as they were instructed that all went well and all were blessed, I recall when Jehovah said to Moses, I will rain down bread from heaven to “PROVE”, to “TEST” the people to see if they will walk in “obedience” to God’s laws (God’s laws are his instructions) God had Moses instruct the people to take as much as they will need, but they were not to leave any, in other words (to waste food) - there were those who gathered according to their appetites, but there were those who did not (Exo 16:20) they were not obedient and instead were wasteful, they had leftover crumbs and by morning it was rotten, their disobedience displayed to God their indifference and lack of faith to God and to the miracle he rained down on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthouse2014 Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Q4. (John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? Jesus has the disciples pick up the left over pieces of food after feeding the multitude because it was customary for the Jews to pick up the left over food, also Jesus had blessed the food and did not want it wasted. It also proves that when God supplies He does it in abundance of more that what is needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 I would assume it was not to waste that the Lord had the disciples pick up the leftover bread and that it would be distributed to the any needy. Also it showed the disciples it that the Lord is able to do above all we need, ask or think. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Q4. (John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? Jesus had the power to provide any quantity of food, yet He taught them to pick up the pieces that had been left over. This was a lesson in good stewardship. His attitude to waste was that it was sinfulness even when there was such an abundance as in this example. Here we see the Creator of all abundance guarding against waste. We have to remember that all we have comes ultimately from God, and in reality it all belongs to Him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Q4. (John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? Jesus had his disciples picked up the left-over for two reasons: 1) So that nothing would be wasted 2) So that He would demonstrate to the disciples that God'd provision are more than adequate. God can not only meet our needs, He can provide more than enough. The lesson Jesus is teaching us here is that we should not waste resources given to us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoiKosum Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 (John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? To make the point that God's provision is not merely enough but exceeding abundantly. Jesus' attitude towards waste - "When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”" (John 6:12) The lesson about abundance is - though there is abundance, there is no waste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebeccaMallinson Posted November 29, 2014 Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 I think he asks them to collect the left-overs for two reasons. Firstly to demonstrate the scale of the miracle and secondly to comply with Jewish custom that nothing should be wasted. God has great compassion for the poor and needy. To waste food when others go hungry is a terrible sin. We can see God’s abundant generosity (as previously in the miracle at Cana) in this miracle. That abundance must be well used, not wasted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 I think that Jesus had the disciples pick up the left-over pieces because He wanted them to know that there was plenty and that we can count on God for everything. He also wanted then to know that they should not waste what God has given them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grace2free Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Q4. (John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? (6:12b) that nothing be lost/wasted. To make the point to them that God's provision that day has not been merely adequate, but more than enough to meet the need. Our God is doing the work, we ask, He gives and gives abundantly, but we need to be taught to make an effort to collect and keep it and not to waste it. What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? Though there is abundance, there is no waste Wasting the grace is disrespect to the Provider What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? To make the point to them that God's provision that day has not been merely adequate, but more than enough to meet the need. Weeks later when they are short of food, Jesus reminds them by asking: ''When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?' 'Twelve,' they replied." (Mark 8:19) "My grace is sufficient to thee", the Lord knows our needs and the quantity of our needs, He is the Sovereign Grace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanley Tavaziva Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 The term "basket" here refers to a large hamper-type basket. It is significant that Jesus did not waste any of the multiplied food. Nor did He change the nature (or type) of the bread. There is a lesson in the leftovers. God gives in abundance. He takes whatever we can offer him in time, ability, or resources and multiplies its effectiveness beyond our wildest expectations. If you take the first step in making yourself available to God, he will show you how greatly you can be used to advance the work of his Kingdom. The term "twelve" have symbolic significance. It is been interpreted as a reference to the tribes of Israel (Jesus satisfies the OT) or one basket for each disciple, Jesus satisfies and provides for His disciples Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanG Posted May 9, 2015 Report Share Posted May 9, 2015 Jesus was showing the disciples that God will abundantly supply to meet the needs of people. God does not skimp when he is showering grace and blessings upon those that he calls children. Nothing should be wasted. We need to be great stewards with all that is given to us. We need to be grateful for all that we are given. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe_Applegarth Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Q4. (John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? The large quantity of food is symbolic of ALL of the Lord’s gifts. Obviously, Jewish tradition dictated that the leftovers be gathered but I also believe that Jesus was teaching them thrift in the midst of abundance. The Lord God gives abundantly and we should take care that none of the things that He provides for us be lost or taken for granted. Proverbs says it better than I; (Proverbs 21:20) “There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.” We should not take for granted, nor should we waste the Lord’s gifts but rather, we should all exercise thrift in the midst of abundance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickledilly Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 Every part of the miracle was important, including the leftover scraps. Nothing was to be lost to waste. Even once the need is met, it is disrespectful of the provision to throw out any useful part of it that remains. There was surely other need elsewhere that could benefit from the “leftovers”. And the leftover pieces of bread were just as sacred as those consumed, since they were also part of the miracle from Jesus' hand. The disciples were instructed to gather the leftovers, and each of them ended up with a large heavy basket filled with the evidence of God's generosity. When God pours out blessing in abundance, we must take care not to take any part of it for granted. God doesn't give so generously for no reason. When we experience excess, we should be motivated by gratitude to see the extra we don't even need as blessing to share with someone else. The deeper spiritual lesson here for the disciples was to see beyond the over-abundant provision for physical hunger and strength. Jesus used the loaves and fish to demonstrate His concern about “nutrition” for a strong spiritual life and show them He is the Source of that provision in an abundance we cannot imagine. The need will always be greater than our resources, but never greater than His. He simply calls us to be channels of His abundance to others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted July 11, 2018 Report Share Posted July 11, 2018 Jesus having the disciples pick up the left-over pieces will remind them that there was more than enough to feed the 5000 and also not waste what was left-over. We should never waste the resources that the Lord gives to us. God will provide more then we need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godswriter Posted February 21, 2019 Report Share Posted February 21, 2019 Q4. (John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? I believe the reason behind was to teach them about abundance and how to rely on Him for it. It tells us that He does not believe in letting anything go to waste. It speaks of how the Lord of provision will provide for physical hunger and strength and also give more than we need. He will also provide for other needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula Price Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 On 7/1/2015 at 10:22 AM, Joe_Applegarth said: Q4. (John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? The large quantity of food is symbolic of ALL of the Lord’s gifts. Obviously, Jewish tradition dictated that the leftovers be gathered but I also believe that Jesus was teaching them thrift in the midst of abundance. The Lord God gives abundantly and we should take care that none of the things that He provides for us be lost or taken for granted. Proverbs says it better than I; (Proverbs 21:20) “There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.” We should not take for granted, nor should we waste the Lord’s gifts but rather, we should all exercise thrift in the midst of abundance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula Price Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 The disciples were to pick up the left overs so that they could see for themselves how God will supply and meet each need no matter how impossible it may seem with abundantly more than asked or required. It was not about the waste, but about how well God provides. He gives us more than enough to meet our needs when we depend on him and trust in Him and are obedient to him to do so. It shows God's willingness and ability to be our provider in all things and that he will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings that we will not have room enough to receive. He is generous in his giving. All we need do is be obedient to His word and seek and ask .Trust and obey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Edwards Posted September 11, 2021 Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 Gathering up the fragments anticipates when Christ states that He would lose nothing that He receives from the Father (John 6:39; 17:12). The disciples would be sharing in gathering the children of God into one that are scattered abroad (John 11:52). These 12 baskets were tremendous testimonies of the miraculous nature of the feeding. A witness to the affluence of the Giver and the reality of the gift. This was a gift so precious in a Miraculous fashion...it was not be wasted. They needed these leftovers for the future. These 12 baskets were clarion symbols of Christ's sustaining force. They recall the mercy and power of Jesus on an occasion of great need. We are not to careless about spiritual matters. Familiarity breeds contempt. Christ will have us not waste nothing; we have to engender in ourselves an attitude of gratitude. In early Christian patrological.writtings, to gather up is "synago" whence we we get our word "synaxis". References are made early church fathers to Holy Communion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 (John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? They pick up the left-over pieces so that nothing was wasted. It shows that we should be grateful for everything and not just take an abundance for granted. The lesson is truly that we should comlete the task before us not just part of it. The first part was getting the crowd ready to accept the miracle. Then came the miracle. What they could eat, was eaten. Now came the part to pick up the abundance left over after all had had their fill. We are not to let the abundance go to waste. God truly gives in abundance. He does not skimp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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