Scripture John 6:1-15
6 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.[a] 2 A large crowd kept following him because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place, so they[b] sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
15 When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Pastor’s Message
“How are we going to feed all these people?” The question rings out from this story. It is a question that permeates our own time as we struggle with issues of hunger, poverty and need. It is also a question that marks celebrations and special occasions. How do we feed our guests in a way that’s satisfying but won’t break the bank or ask too much of anyone?
John tells us that Passover is coming up, and the city of Jerusalem is full of pilgrims who have come to celebrate this festival of liberation and freedom, of God’s stunning and miraculous action for an enslaved people. Many of the pilgrims are planning their holiday celebrations, and will be going to the Temple to choose a lamb that will be blessed and sacrificed by the Temple priests for the Seder meal. There are lots of people milling about, some of whom have noticed the miracle-working rabbi from Nazareth.
In the previous chapter of John’s gospel, Jesus heals a man who has been ill for thirty-eight years, and the healing has caught the attention of many. Because the healing took place on the Sabbath, Jesus has also caught the attention of the religious authorities.
After the healing, Jesus attempts to withdraw for a bit of rest, and the crowds still follow. They are hungry – hungry for food, hungry for wholeness, hungry for salvation.
As the crowds continue to follow, Jesus’ question to the disciples, “Where are we to get bread to feed everyone?” is framed in John’s gospel as a test. The answers given by the disciples to Jesus’ test question are reasonable and rational. The sheer number of people crowding around who need food exceeds the money in the disciples’ community purse.
When a generous boy steps forward to offer his family’s lunch of five loaves of bread and two fish, the response is also pragmatic: How can one family’s lunch feed thousands?
One commentator I read this week ran this conversation through a present-day church lens. The perspective is funny, but also uncomfortable:
“One might expect the Trustees to echo Philip’s money management concern, pointing out that the congregation does not take in enough revenue to support such a project. The Outreach Committee might reinforce Andrew’s position, stating that the congregation has earmarked only a small percentage of its income for mission giving and the proposed project’s needs far exceed the allocated amount. The groups responsible for discipleship and worship may not even offer an opinion, as they are busy preparing for a fast-approaching religious festival. The building and grounds committees may assist with seating everyone on the lawn, although some members might worry about the effects of this event on the property’s landscaping.”
As I read this commentary, I found a lot of defensive “buts” arising in my head, today’s Church reality slamming down limitations all over the place. Perhaps you’re experiencing some of those “buts” as well.
Here’s the most convicting bit in this commentary:
“It is likely that none of the congregation’s boards or committees [and we must add the pastor here] would expect to participate in a miracle, as that is not what they signed on for. They serve out of a sense of duty, or because they enjoy the work, or to contribute to a cause larger than themselves. They identify a few reasonable goals, set some workable plans in motion, and carry out their endeavors with the resources at hand. Their work is not viewed as a venue for God’s glory and mercy to break forth in the world, but as a means to facilitate the congregation’s survival as an organization. Their expectations and activities have lost their prophetic edge.”
My friends, do we feel the “ouch” at hearing these words? Do we have some test anxiety here?
Jesus doesn’t seem phased by the limits and challenges of the situation. He moves among the crowd, breaking off a bit of fish and a chunk of bread for everyone there, and there’s not only enough to go around, there’s a whole bunch left over.
The crowds see and experience the miracle, and declare that Jesus is the “prophet who is coming into the world.” The food they have received fills their bellies and their souls, and lifts the curtain on a reality that insists that is all there is. The crowd who has just been fed gets an experience of a different reality that’s more powerful and abundant — God’s reality made visible through Jesus’ prophetic and compassionate action.
Can we let this miracle story sink into our hearts, bones, and souls and see that this place, this community can be the catalyst at which God’s glory can break forth and blow our doors off?
[Pause]Let me invite you to close your eyes for a few moments as we let this miracle story speak to us afresh.
Rest both feet on the ground and feel the support of the earth.
Draw your attention to the presence of the Spirit in your breathing – in and out. In and out. The close proximity of the Spirit is a miracle in and of itself.
Let’s sit here for a few moments.
Now, in our mind’s eye, and in the deep knowing of our hearts, let’s draw our attention to a present-day vision: the Spirit of Christ walking among us, bread and fish in hand, moving to each of us, placing the food in our mouths, feeding our bellies and souls, satisfying us in a way we can’t explain. It’s a miracle moving us, right now, in this present moment. The food never runs out, and we are astonished at the abundance – grace swirling among us, the miracle surprising us.
Amazing grace. Here. Now. Thanks be to God.
