Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-19; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21
The Rev. Drew Brislin
In the name of the one Holy and Undivided Trinity, Amen.
Over the last year or so, Allison has begun to make many of the bread products we use at home herself. She bakes regular loaves of bread, muffins, buns, cookies, etc. She seems to be constantly expanding the menu of what she can make. What is unique about her process, I think, is that she mills her own flour. She purchased a grain mill and bread machine to mix the batter for making bread. In her research as she became interested in baking bread, she learned that if one were to use freshly milled grains for making bread, they could capture many of the healthy nutrients in the grain. Grains contain the most nutrients when in whole form and upon milling those nutrients begin to slowly diminish. Simply, wait until you are prepared to bake before milling your grain. How about that, it can be healthy to eat bread. She further found a company started by a couple of women engineers who have done research with different grains to offer some of the healthiest options using different grains and recipes for making different baked goods. It has been a fun way for Allison to cook and at the same time has supplemented our meals in a healthy way. Our Gospel lesson this morning seeks to supplement our understanding of who Jesus is and places us at that familiar story this morning in the “Feeding of the Five Thousand.” Beginning today and over the next four weeks our lectionary takes a little detour from Mark as we delve into the Gospel of John and what is referred to as ‘The Bread of Life Discourse.’
This miraculous feeding story is unique in that it is the only story that is found in all four of the Gospels. While the synoptics that is Matthew, Mark and Luke focus on Jesus being the gift in the bread, John gives a little more of our liturgical element in the language it uses. While Jesus performs miracles in the Synoptic Gospels, He performs signs in John. In fact, he performs seven of them, two of which we hear in reading this morning. These signs that are intended to reveal to us who Jesus really is and subsequently what he seeks to accomplish in this world. John is also the only Gospel that sets this story near the Passover. This comparison to Moses is at the heart of what the sixth chapter in John is claiming about Jesus. Jesus goes up the mountain and sees a crowd coming toward him. We will learn that this crowd will need to be fed. Jesus will test Phillip by asking him “Where are we to by bread for these people to eat?” Jesus knows what he plans to do, however, he tests Phillip seemingly in an effort to help Phillip understand who he truly is and what he is doing in the world. If Phillip and the others can comprehend where the gifts truly come from then they can know the true identity of Jesus. Then Andrew, who brought his brother Simon Peter to know Jesus, sees the problem and discovers a boy who has five loaves and two fishes, who he brings to Jesus’ attention. Jesus sees the crowd and he sees their need. Whether it is supernatural multiplication of food or the unleashing of magnanimous compassion, what is clear is that everyone’s hunger is satisfied. God’s blessing is overflowing in a manner that there is an abundance left over. Twelve baskets are filled with leftovers. Twelve always being a number that references us to the twelve tribes of Israel seems to possibly be drawing us back into that Exodus narrative that this story continues to echo as the people are delivered from their hunger and need and into the freedom of God’s rule on earth. Jesus cannot simply make people believe, but in these signs, he seeks to point us toward understanding. In his love and generosity, he wants us to know that he is not a concept that works for humanity but the incarnation of love, the incarnation of God who lives among us.
As the church pursues its mission and ministry in the world today, it is called to balance its ministry with serious reflection and contemplation of how God is truly calling it to serve and live out its mission in the world. This morning our Gospel calls us to contemplate grace and glory. Jesus offers the crowd an unprecedented gift as he reveals the amazing and unbounded grace in which God seeks lavish on his creation. The crowd becomes infatuated with the possibilities of glory and decide to force Jesus to become a king. As a result, Jesus immediately leaves and returns to the mountain. The disciples then decide to leave without Jesus, get caught in a storm, Jesus shows back up walking on the sea telling the disciples to not be afraid. Always comforting and providing Jesus transports them immediately to the other side.
Allison loves to bake and finds joy in not only cooking but also in the learning and the discovering of recipes for all the different things she makes. When I come home after she has been baking or while she is in the process of making one of her delicious baked goods, I will often comment, “I can smell the love!” as we often refer to the secret ingredient in her cooking being love. There is truth in that statement. The way she pours herself into this lifegiving activity bears fruit in what it yields. She bakes for the joy it brings her and whether she is conscious of it or not, that joy is shared with those who are fortunate to enjoy her wonderful creations. So too, Jesus shares his joy in his extravagant grace that he showers on his beloved creation. It is how we hold this grace and glory in balance that is essential to our faith. Jesus will not withhold his glory from those in need, however, he will not let his grace be controlled by the crowd’s desire for glory and to make him a king. As we enter a contentious political season this fall let us remember as one commentary recalls that glory is lost if it is not recognized in the quiet places of Jesus’ grace and grace is destroyed if one tries to harness it for false power and authority. God reveals himself to us in his Son Jesus. In the Gospel of John we hear, “and we have seen this glory, the glory as of a father’s son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) What are we pouring ourselves into? Who are we feeding? Are we seeking God’s grace or glory? We are God’s beloved creation made in his image. We are called to reflect his love into the world. We don’t get it right all of the time but that is why we are offered grace and forgiveness and the chance to try all over again to be representatives of God’s love in the world today.
Amen