So,
In case you were unaware, I like food!
I like all kinds of food! I like meat, I like vegetables, I like fruit, I like dairy, and based on a book being read to Noah, it is possible I may even like Green Eggs and Ham.
The idea that Jesus would be so concerned about the hungry crowd around him moves me! Not just because I think eating is a great idea! No, it moves me because of the amazing compassion Jesus shows when he feeds those hungry folks.
Feeding the hungry is also why I am so excited by our food pantry program and am so thankful for Kathy Card’s leadership along with all our Deacons and volunteers!
Feeding hungry people is the essence of the gospel I think, whether that be physical or spiritual hunger.
Now there is a wrinkle or two in the story.
Jesus, faced with the reality that these people he was initially trying to get away from so that he could teach his disciples in some peace and quiet, now need to be fed is one.
And here he once again proves he is some much better than I!
He’s not frustrated, angry, disturbed; I would be going crazy!
Nope he is moved with compassion. And so, he teaches them, he heals them, and then, at the suggestion of his astute disciples, who have seen that it is the end of the day and people need to eat, now feeds them.
Kind of. Sort of.
Because while at first glance this story just seems to be just about Jesus miraculous power to feed people, it has occurred to me that there is another important and subtle lesson here.
At least as the story is told in Luke.
If you listened carefully to the beginning of the Scripture lesson today, you heard another story about Jesus disciples. Then, in between the two some intrigue about Herod that will matter later in the gospel.
But what I really need you to notice is the first story about the sent disciples, and then the second story about the sent disciples.
Yes, they are sent in ministry twice. Sometimes, in order to learn a lesson we have to do it more than once.
In September, I’m going to begin a series of sermons on the Acts of the Apostles. There is some amazing stuff in Luke’s recording of what the Apostles did after Jesus ascension and then Pentecost. But Luke’s story actually starts here.
Did you know that the word apostle, means “sent one”? That an apostle is one who is sent to do something. It has a very different meaning than a disciple, who is basically a student learning from a master.
The Twelve, were disciples.
But you see here in these two stories Jesus in the process of taking his disciples and making apostles out of them, the very thing he is doing to us! In story one, sent. In story two sent!
Now the difference between the two is I think ironic. In the first story, the disciples are sent out, go all over the place, staying at people’s houses, rely on the hospitality of others, teaching about Jesus, and then healing people.
When was the last time you went out into your neighborhood, stayed at other people’s houses, ate their food, taught them about Jesus, and healed them?
Is it possible, just asking, that it is because you are still a disciple and not yet an apostle? Not yet a sent one? Not ready ready, willing and empowered?
Why not?
According to the other gospels telling of this adventure and of the disciples and other followers going in ministry, they saw on this adventure amazing things happen! They were brave and bold and driven and focused and they made the kingdom of God come alive.
Jesus said go, and they went!
But, for some reason faced with this hungry crowd, they got nothing! They are completely set back on their heels, stymied, lost, powerless. No longer out on their own, safely back in Jesus presence, they fold.
To their credit, they noticed that the people were hungry. It was either that or Peter’s stomach that keep growling. In either case they noticed.
And that is not a bad thing. Noticing the needs of others is always the first step to dynamic ministry, noticing what is wrong, what is needed and then looking for a solution.
The church would do well to always be thinking about what is needed in our community and looking for ways to help provide or enable a solution. If, this fall, parents need to go back to work, but also need to help their kids learn, is there anything we can do?
Even in the time of COVID, what can we do about what needs to be done? How can we use what we have? Maybe we can’t solve the whole problem, but how can we make sure that those who are in need get help?
And seeing the problem, that they are hungry, is a first step.
But they missed the second step. Yes, they went to Jesus, which would normally have been the best idea.
But Jesus has already commissioned and sent them to make a difference so…
Jesus tells them “you feed them”!
Actually the pew bibles say, “you give them something to eat”, but the point was clear! You all just came back from a mission trip where you ate at other people’s houses and saw miracles. “you feed them!”
What the disciples see is what they don’t have, or what little they have. What they don’t see is what they do have! They are missing the point! They ate at other people’s houses so they didn’t have any food. But…
They also saw miracles. They healed folks! “You feed them!”
So often, we focus on limitations, instead of seeing God’s wonderful provision!
Jesus was hoping for a quiet time to teach them. Instead it was going to be a noisy time to teach them right in the midst of a famished crowd.
Jesus showed them how to use what they did have, five loaves of bread and two fish (why they had that – who knows) and to rely on God to do whatever miracle God had in mind.
Jesus seems to say, “You went in ministry with nothing and God provided. Why now do you doubt that God will do the same?”
We need to open our minds and our hearts to the presence of God and God’s amazing kingdom and doing what we can let God use our faithfulness to do miracles!
Feeding others, like caring for others at any time and in any way, is a privilege and an honor and clear evidence of the Kingdom of God’s presence among us.
Hospitality is what God expects us to offer to others because it is what God offers us!
Grace and love, made real in Jesus, in bread & fish, and at the Lord Table in bread & wine, the active presence of the God in the lives of people in need!
Come to the table of mercy
Prepared with the wine and the bread
All who are hungry and thirsty
Come and your soul will be fed.
Come at the Lord’s invitation
Receive from His nail-scarred hand
Eat of the bread of salvation
Drink of the blood of the Lamb.
Amen.
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