Fragments

This lesson is about the feeding of the five thousand. It's found in all four gospels.
Jesus and the disciples went to a deserted place (Luke: 9:10). In verse 11, Jesus received the multitudes. When the people were hungry, the disciples wanted the people to go and get their own food. But Jesus said, "you give them something." You may not think you have a lot to give, but He says, give it.

The disciples were thinking logically. Unless we go and buy food, they won't have any, but that's too expensive and each would have only a taste. Jesus says, don't do the logical. Do the impossible. Really, just give - offer what you have.

In verse 14, they sat in groups. Jesus is making order out of chaos. With 5,000 men plus women and possibly 4 children, there could have been more than 20,000 people.

In verse 16, Jesus blessed the food. This is Jesus' job. Only He can do it. The disciples passed it out. They gave it away. God multiplies, not according to man's measure, but Gods.

Verse 17, the people were filled. Something you have can satisfy others. Twelve baskets of fragments were left and taken up. These were not wasted. When God multiplies, there will be fragments left (for more blessing.)

Lessons: 1. Jesus is never too busy for the multitudes. He is never too busy for you.
2. Jesus multiplies what you give. He blessed it and multiplied it. You distribute it.
3. Give Him something to multiply. What you have.
4. What do you have to give? (patience, kindness, a smile, a prayer, your heart.)
5. Jesus did more with less. With the 4,000 (the other story,) there were 7 loaves and 7 baskets left
but, with the 5,000, there were 5 loaves and 12 baskets left. The principle is to
give what you have. Don't withhold what you can give.

Now I want to talk about the fragments. You don't know what happened to those fragments. all we know is that Jesus wanted them saved for later use and they were too valuable to be wasted.
I was thinking of a talent my daughter has. She is super good at all things sports. She graduated with a business degree in sports management. Partly because of the economy, she is not able to use that gift yet. But God spoke to me that this is her fragment. It is too valuable to be left on the ground. He will yet use it to "feed" others. I have fragments too. I want to speak, write more, get into worship dance. He is saving those fragments for me and someday they will feed others. I'm sure, because my God loves details. What fragments of yours would you like to see being used in the Kingdom to nourish others? I have faith that they will not be wasted.