Seeking Spiritual Renewal: What To Do With the Leftovers

Every Thanksgiving, my household celebrates the holiday with a dinner of black-eyed peas, collard greens and chicken. My daughter requests that I make smothered chicken and cornbread, and the pound cake that my son fell in love with at my hometown church is sent to us through the mail. We end this meal without bread.

But with all of this delicious food – what do you do with the leftovers?

Jesus fed a crowd of 5,000 (John 6:5-13). He had asked Phillip to provide for the masses. Phillip replied that it would take more than a day’s wage to feed this crowd. Andrew, the half-brother of Simon Peter, brought forth a young boy with five loaves and two fish. According to the text, that food was more than enough. After eating, they gathered up the leftovers and filled baskets.

What do you do with the leftovers?

It was a miracle — the people were fed, with plenty leftover.

Every holiday, we make a big meal. We want to know who is going to bring what dish. Who will bring the salad? Who will make the mac and cheese? Who is cooking the turkey? Then, like any good dinner, a miracle happens. It all comes together, and we ask: What will we do with all of this food? 

What are we going to do with all of the leftovers?

In Matthew 14:22-33, the disciples get on a boat. They had witnessed the sign from Jesus and attempted to traverse through a storm. As the ship swayed back and forth, the disciples started to believe that they wouldn’t make it. They thought they were going to drown, but Jesus came out to meet them. The disciples noticed that there was only one boat – Jesus had walked on water to meet them. 

Transformed by this miracle, the disciples make Jesus into an idol. But what might appear as true worship is actually idol worship. The disciples find extra boats – they now only care about what they can get from Jesus. They have confused their blessings and miracles with nothing more than presents from a Santa-Claus figure. 

On the surface it appears that they are seeking Jesus – they are doing all of the right things. They are kind to people. They give to the local food pantry and charities in their community. They are hard workers. They help their children. Yet they have missed what was necessary. John reminds us that bread is not just food that we eat. Jesus says that bread is also spiritual. 

What do we do with all of the leftovers?

Jesus tells the disciples that they need to change their focus. Do you want to know what to do with all of the leftovers? 

Feed the bellies of those who are hungry. According to the USDA, more than 34 million people, including 9 million children, in the United States are food insecure. Here at Plymouth, we prepare food for Pathfinders and sack lunches for Street Angels and St. Ben’s Parish. We collect food for Friedens Food Pantries. While we attain wealth and pad our retirement funds, we grind. Jesus reminds us what to do with our leftovers. 

We see that in the very first thing that He teaches us:

“Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him, God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” (John 6:26)

While we give to other places, Jesus reminds us in this text that our giving can never replace spending quality time with God. I am more than the material items I am privileged to have – cars in the driveway, a house or status symbols. 

The crowd asks: How do we get this bread? What do we do with all of these leftovers? 

Jesus tells us to believe. Believe past Thanksgiving in hope, peace and joy and love. Believe in the one who sent Jesus these things. The people want something tangible. What do we do with the leftovers? What is the sign? The gospel of John points to characters that we may believe. What is the movement?

Jesus tells us, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me, and still you do not believe.” (John 6:35) This belongs to a group of seven statements made by Jesus. He gives us a glimpse of who He is. One writer describes these statements like Monet painting the West Front of Rouen Cathedral at least 31 times – each picture is of the same place, but each is unique in that it was painted at other times of the day and year. It is the same with Jesus’ “I am” statements – each shows us Jesus from another point of view. 

Bread is an essential function of life. Bread is wholesome and nourishing. It sustains us and gives us energy. The call, then, is to come and feast upon Jesus, the bread of life. Bread is mentioned more than 492 times in the Bible, beginning in Genesis and continuing through revelation as a symbol of relationship when we break bread at the communion table. 

What do you do with the leftovers? Jesus, we just want to know what to do with all of this stuff. This grief, this pain – the things I wanted this year that I am still praying for. Jesus, what do I do with the leftovers? I have been praying for healing for my brother. Jesus, what about my pieces? I have been carrying all of these leftovers from one year into the following year, and I am tired.  

What do you do with the leftovers? Like the Israelites who received manna from heaven, the woman at the well and the crowd who received the physical were invited to receive the spiritual bread. It is something we are all invited to receive and participate in this Holiday season. We are called not to seek only physical things but to seek the spiritual. Seek first the kingdom of God and all of these things will be added unto you.