“When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” (John 6:12)
Webster’s Dictionary defines a fragment as “A part broken off; a piece separated from any thing by breaking.” It also defines it as “A part separated from the rest.”
Jesus told the disciples to “Gather up the gather up the fragments that remain.” What were these fragments? They were left-over pieces which Jesus had broken off of the five loaves and two fishes when He multiplied them to feed the five thousand men, women, and children who had come to hear Him speak.
Jesus had miraculously multiplied the food to feed the people, but in the process, there were some broken pieces left over which needed to be gathered up.
YOUR BROKENNESS MATTERS TO GOD.
Many there that day only thought of the food they were given to eat. They may have paid no attention to the fragments that remained. Some people do not care for left-overs, but Jesus cared about them. He didn’t want any of the broken fragments to be lost. If you are broken, Jesus cares about you!
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR BROKEN PEOPLE
There were only five loaves and two fishes to start with, but there were twelve baskets full of broken pieces that were gathered up. If Jesus could feed five thousand with only five loaves and two fishes, what do you think He could do with twelve baskets full?
There were more broken pieces than whole pieces. If you have been broken, you are in good company. Some of the people God used the most in the Bible were first broken.
GOD STILL HAS A PLACE FOR BROKEN PEOPLE
Jesus was telling them to gather together the broken pieces. When we come to church, you know what we are doing? We are gathering together the broken pieces! If you are broken or hurt, church is the place you need to be. The first step toward healing is to “Gather up the fragments that remain.”