Recently, I decided to make a large pot of chili. It didn’t start out that way. I had intended to only make a modest amount but as it cooked, I decided it needed more beans, then it needed more tomatoes, now the meat was skimpy…I ended up with enough chili to feed the neighborhood! I spent the next week inviting friends over for lunch or dinner – trying to finish the leftovers. More often than not, we don’t plan leftovers, they just happen.
So I found it curious when I read the familiar story in John chapter 6 where Jesus feeds the 5,000. Why were there leftovers? Surely Jesus knew exactly how many people were sitting there and how much they would eat. And still, it took twelve large baskets to collect all the leftovers.
I’ve heard some explain that it was in order to demonstrate that Jesus is willing to provide for our needs – and more. Simply put, He is a generous God. Others suggest the twelve baskets had something to do with the twelve disciples and others propose it relates to the twelve tribes of Israel. I suppose I’d have to agree with all of them. But as I read the story, something else occurred to me: perhaps the reason there were leftovers was because Jesus was willing to provide enough food for every person in the region, whether they cared to come and sit with Him or not.
Just as, in Noah’s day, God provided enough room in the arc for everyone, only Noah and his family chose to enter. There was enough food on the hillside to feed everyone, but not all decided to come.
“Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of Heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.” Matthew 22:1-3 (NIV)
How about you? Miss the boat? Late for dinner? There is hope: there is still room at the Cross. Will you meet Him there?
Shadia Hrichi
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