John 6:8

John 6:8 says, One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,  Verse nine continues, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?  Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, told Jesus that there was a lad with five barley loaves and two fishes.  Andrew saw what was there, but still failed to recognize what Jesus could do with it.  He asked what this was among so many.  We today may look at what we need and what we have and say the task cannot be done, but we need to look to God instead.  Then, we need to act in faith and do what He needs us to do.  Verse ten adds, And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.  Jesus told them to have the men sit down, and there were about five thousand of them.  I am sure most preachers today would like to have that large a crowd following them, but I doubt they would want to feed them.  Verse eleven continues, And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.  Then, Jesus took the bread and blessed it and had the disciples distribute it to the people.  Then, He did the same with the fish.  When it says Jesus took the bread, that does not mean He physically took the bread from the lad.  Though it doesn’t say, we must understand that the lad willingly gave his lunch to Jesus, holding nothing back.  We must do the same and give everything to Jesus holding nothing back.  Verse twelve says, When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.  Verse thirteen adds, Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.  Then, after everyone ate all that they wanted, the disciples were told to gather what was left, and there were twelve baskets full of fragments of the five barley loaves.  When we follow God’s instructions, not only will our needs be met, but there will be blessing beyond the need.  We might ask what could we do with twelve baskets of scrap food, but remember the need was to feed hungry people, and that is what was done with much to spare.  God expects us to never waste what He blesses us with but to always be willing to share with others, even if it looks like it will cost us everything we have.  Did Jesús have to have the loaves and fish to feed the people?  No, but he allowed the disciples and the lad to share in the miracle.  God does not need what we can offer Him, but He still wants us to offer so we can participate in the miracle or simply the accomplishment of the task He called us to do.