Message
This chapter is one of the longest and most profound in the Bible. At the beginning, Jesus has just miraculously fed 5,000 men, so that means there were probably at least 7 to 10 thousand people fed. At my school opening ceremony, we give them Odango and my job with another teacher was to pass out these packaged Odango to 240 students. It took us 20 to 30 minutes and they were in these nice little boxes. I can’t imagine 7 to 10 thousand people. Some interpret this feeding as a metaphor (I don’t), while others believe Jesus tapped into people's generosity (I don’t), prompting them to share. It's miraculous to shift people from selfishness to generosity. Try doing that to yourself let alone a large crowd of people. What we know is something profound happened, and even after Jesus withdrew from the crowd, put his disciples in boats, and crossed the lake, the people sought him out for more. These people witnessed something so compelling that they hungered for more of Jesus. Yet, they desired the wrong thing, similar to those who wanted Jesus to be merely an earthly king rather than their messiah. They craved a spectacle, wanted a show. They were screaming encore., encore. They were impressed by Jesus cooking of bread and fish because lets be honest it must have tasted amazing. “What do you want for dinner honey?” “You know what I am craving. I’m craving that bread and fish that that carpenter made for us.” Meanwhile, in the midst of feeding the multitude, Jesus urged his disciples into the boat rather forcibly. Why? I believe it's because they were being swayed by popular of the crowds. It seductive. I read a story by a famous actor that was talking about fame. He said, the only thing worse than being flocked for autographs and pictures when he went out to restaurants was when he went out and no one noticed him. (That will never be my problem). They finally had their platform, like to today's influencers. Today, 5,000; tomorrow, perhaps 10,000 and the day after? Jesus recognized the allure and temptation on this guys on popularity. So he put them in the boat and shoved them off and he went on a hillside to pray. The story unfolds with the disciples battling a storm throughout the night. In the midst of the wind and waves, a figure approaches them walking on water, leading to the famous account of Jesus walking on water. Personally, I dislike the title "Jesus walking on water" It is in the realm of my faith that Jesus can walk on water what surprises me and still surprises me is that through our connection to Jesus we too can walk on water as Peter steps out of the boat and walks toward Jesus. And you can too? If Jesus calls you he will equip you. But to follow Jesus we need to be strong and courageous. Today's message is not on Peter and the boat but that happened right before today’s main text. And after getting in the boat Jesus speaks to the waves and they listen to him. This is not just a teacher. This is not just a fish and bread multiplier this is the Son of God. Now on the other side the crowds catch up to Jesus and the disciples. After catching up they ask a simple question, "How did you get here?" However, Jesus doesn't tell them he simply changes the topic. It was not for them that he calmed the sea it was for his disciples. There are moments in life when we must address questions and issues, but there are also times when those questions serve as distractions. Jesus changes the topic by simply saying “Very truly”. When Jesus says “Very truly” pay attention because it is important. It's like me telling my students that this page or question will be on the test. So, pay attention. Jesus wants to draw people to look at their motivation at our motivation. Why are you here today? It's not to hear from me I know that. We all like different aspects of the service some like the prayer time more or the worship music time some the sermon. But our motivation should be to draw closer to the living Lord. (Period) These people are looking at their stomach and wanting a show. Jesus delves into the issue of motivation: Why are you here today? Jesus knows that the people's motives are misguided. They aren't seeking him to deepen their spiritual connection with the Father or to nurture a deeper relationship with the Creator of the universe. They want a king again not a messiah. Oh people do not like their motivations challenged. It is a question I ask myself every time I preach. (Why am I doing this?). It's similar to the Beatles' song "With a Little Help from My Friends," where they question “What would you do if I sang out of tune would you stand up and walk out on me?” The answer is yes. Jesus was the first person to lose a mega-church. Instead of being the social media influencer they took the road jack and did not want to come back no more no more no more no more. Jesus challenges them to look their priorities, questioning why they invest so much time, energy, and concern into pursuits that are fleeting. Personally, I employ a rule to control my spending: whenever I purchase a new item of clothing, I discard an old one. And if I am unwilling to throw something away I do not need another shirt. Many of us are enslaved by the trappings of the world. Much like the rich young ruler whom Jesus instructed him to let go of the thing that was possessing him. It is okay to have possessions. It is not okay to be possessed by our possessions. Why do you chase earthly things so hard and totally neglect the things that will last forever. Here lies the difficulty: God designed us with fundamental needs such as food, water, and rest, we trick ourselves into believing that these are all there is. Our Lord says that our hierarchy of needs is upside down especially if you are concerned about eternity. If today is all you want, live it up. If we acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Teacher, he reveals that our hierarchy of needs is inverted. This notion is most clearly seen in Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4; she yearned for living water why so that she did not have to walk up the hill to get the water not because she wanted to draw closer to God. Eventually, I think she got it. During my childhood, my pastor once instructed us to bring the oldest food item in our homes to church. I recall the pastor consuming a pack of ramen noodles that had expired over a decade ago. We fix an expiration date on food products to know if it is safe to eat. It is the way that the government certifies that something is safe. Similarly, God has certified “Placed his SEAL” his Son. Just as Jesus provided nourishment to those people, he offers us so much more if we put our faith in him. While many regard Jesus as a wise teacher and apply his teachings to their live. If you do unto others as you would like done for you not only your life will be better but the people around you will benefit. You you do not worry about tomorrow you will live a much more productive and happy life. Jesus is a GREAT TEACHER but he is so much more than that. However, merely accepting Jesus as a teacher while refusing to acknowledge him as Lord and Savior is like to accepting the bread and fish but rejecting the bread of life or refusing the living water. They ask, "What must we do to perform the works God requires?" Jesus' response challenges the notion that faith alone is simplistic (mambi pampi). People often yearn for tangible tasks, such as feeding the poor or constructing hospitals or schools, and dismiss faith as trivial. Jesus says the WORK that is required is one of faith. By saying work is is not saying that it is unpleasant, but he is saying it takes effort. More effort than the tangle tasks. I work for the church (supposedly 10 hours a week) I give a tithe of my work by spending at least an hour a week in quite praying for the church. My mind wanders but I remind myself that this is work. It requires effort the same as typing a sermon or doing pastoral care. Of course I need actions to go along with the work of faith as the Book of James teaches because faith without works is dead but work without faith is futile. Our primary task (work) is to believe in the one whom God has sent—Jesus. Yet, the people respond similarly to those who encountered John the Baptist; they boast of their lineage, claiming descent from Abraham. Similarly, they boast of their ancestors eating manna in the wilderness, boasting of their Jewish heritage. However, Jesus corrects their flawed theology. He tells them Moses didn't give you manna from heaven; it was God who provided this bread. Moses would freak out if someone said that he provided the bread. Let's briefly look at manna. Fleeing Egypt with almost no provisions, the Israelites ate unleavened bread, hastily prepared as the angel of the Lord passed over their homes on what we call PASSOVER. The angel saw or smelt the blood of the lamb spread on their doorpost and passed over. But after getting free of the Egyptians, they complained in the wilderness. The opposite of worship is complaining. “We have nothing to eat”. To this God provided manna, a flaky white substance—bread from heaven. Interestingly, manna had a shelf life of one day, except on the day before the Sabbath, when it would last for two days. This allowed the people to consume it daily as they journeyed through the wilderness. If manna was not consumed that day or a person tried to save it, it became rancid. Interestingly, a portion of manna was preserved in a jar and placed in the Ark of the Covenant. Manna connected to worship and the sacred, what would otherwise spoil remains fresh. How do we maintain our spiritual freshness in a world intent on corrupting us? It is through worship and praise. If your faith seems dry do not read your bible more instead praise the lord in song. Moses one of the greatest prophets and leaders did not provide manna it was God. And here God’s son does the same. And yet more than the bread and fish he gave he is ready to provide Manna from heaven to the people and yet they want the fish. Similarly, God has now sent the bread of life from heaven. Unlike manna, which sustained for a day, Jesus—the bread of life—nourishes our souls eternally, like the manna near the Ark ensuring freshness indefinitely. They yearn for this bread, demanding, "Give it to us!" Yet, Jesus startles them by proclaiming, "I am the bread of life." It is me. Whoever partakes of this bread—by putting their faith in Jesus—will never hunger. For Jesus descended from heaven not to pursue his own agenda but to fulfill the Father's will, because the father and son are one. For those who believe in him, Jesus himself will raise them up on the last day, for he will not lose any sheep who entrust their love and hearts to the Lord. Are you prepared to undertake the task the Lord has assigned to receive this gift? If so, put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the waters. Put your hand in the hand of the man that calmed the sea. Take a look at yourself and you will see others differently. Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee. Let’s pray. Psalm 91 People: He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Leader: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. People: He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Leader: I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” People: He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Leader: Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly poisons. People: He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Leader: He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. People: Under our Lord’s wings we will find refuge.
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