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The Gospel of Matthew Bible Studies
The Gospel of Mark Bible Studies
The Book of Acts Bible Studies
January 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
September 2009
October 2009
November 2009
December 2009
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Time after Pentecost - Lectionary 17 (B) Text: John 6:1-21 July 26, 2009 In the name of he who is our Bread of Life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. I remember once reading a story about the childhood of Abraham Lincoln. As you may know, Lincoln grew up in humble circumstances – his family was very poor. One day, he and the family sat down for dinner – and there wasn’t much on the table – just some potatoes. But still his father thanked God for what they had, saying, “Heavenly Father, we thank you for these blessings that you have given us.” To which young Abraham piped up, saying, “Mighty poor blessings!” Needless to say, that comment earned him a forceful “attitude adjustment” from his father! In today’s gospel we hear about one of Jesus’ most famous miracles, his feeding of about five thousand people from five barley loaves of bread and two fish. In fact, this is the only miracle of Jesus which is recounted in all four of the New Testament gospels. It is obvious that what happened there made a tremendous impact upon everyone who was present. But it definitely was NOT because of the quality of the food! The bread was made of barley – an inexpensive grain that was used mostly for animal feed and by people who did not have enough money to buy wheat. The fish were probably sardine-sized morsels that had been salted and dried. This definitely was not a culinary banquet that people would remember and rave about. It was a typical meal that poor people would eat only when they couldn’t afford anything better. Or as Abraham Lincoln might have said, “Mighty poor blessings!” No, it wasn’t the food that made the meal so special and memorable. It rather was what was happening spiritually when the bread and fish were being distributed. Try and picture the scene in your minds. The people were hungry, but no one had any food with them. At least, no one had any food that they were willing to share. No one, that is, except for one boy who offered to Jesus the little bit that he had. But instead of being discouraged, Jesus asked the people to sit down and get ready to eat. Then Jesus offered thanks to God for what they were about to receive, and distributed the meal – small and poor as it was. What happened next is shrouded in mystery. Perhaps the bread and the fish miraculously began to multiply. Or perhaps (and this is my personal thinking), the people began to share what they – like that boy – had brought with them. As the boy’s little bit of food was passed around, people took some of it and then also perhaps added to it some of food which they had been hoarding for themselves. We do not know the exact details of what actually happened. But we DO know that as the meal was passed around from person to person to person, the amount of food kept getting larger and larger and larger – and yet everyone still had more than enough to eat! And at the end, there were enough leftovers to fill twelve baskets! The people, needless to say, were filled with AWE when they realized what had happened. And, as I have said, it really wasn’t the food – it was rather their realization that through Jesus, the kingdom of God had come among them in a very real and powerful way. It was a holy moment in which suddenly, everyone present was bound together in a communion of love. They could feel the reality of God’s presence in a way that made them tingle all over from head to toe. Tears of joy were shed as all of the barriers of selfishness and pride that normally keep us separated from each other and God were dissolved. THAT was the miracle – or as John calls it in his gospel – a SIGN. A SIGN of the kingdom of God! Today we still have that kind of a SIGN among us as well – which we call HOLY COMMUNION. And like the feeding of the five thousand, it really isn’t the food that is important. A piece or wafer of bread, and a sip of wine – certainly not enough to make that much of a difference physically for us physically – but enough to be the means through which God’s presence comes to us in a very real and powerful way! Holy Communion is a meal in which the barriers which normally exist between us and God – and between us and each other – are broken down. Through this meal we can experience God’s love in an intimate way which can transform our lives through and through! John in his gospel – unlike the others – does not ever mention Jesus instituting the meal of Holy Communion, but it is obvious that he is thinking of it as he describes the feeding of the five thousand. For example, he specifically notes that this meal – a sign of the kingdom of God – took place during the time of the Passover festival – which is when Jesus instituted Holy Communion in the other gospels. During the next four weeks our gospel readings will be from the rest of the sixth chapter of John’s gospel, in which Jesus will explain what this sign really means. Jesus will say that he is the “bread of life” and that “whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35) He will even say that “whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life…for my flesh is food indeed and my blood is drink indeed.” (John 6:54-55) These are sacramental sayings, showing that when we share in his meal, we somehow receive the presence and power of God in our lives. No, the food itself is not really that important – physically the bread and wine may even seem to be “poor blessings” – but Jesus uses what we receive in Holy Communion as a SIGN of what the kingdom of God is like. Through eating and drinking this meal together, Jesus draws us into a holy fellowship with him, with God, and with each other. As we come forward today to eat and drink this meal, we can experience God’s love…and power…and joy…and peace – just as the five thousand did in today’s gospel. And now may the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen us and keep us in his grace, even unto eternal life. Amen! -------------------- Pastor George Karres 418 W. Main St. Sidney, MT 59270
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