July 25, 2021 – Pentecost +9B

“After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 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?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all.¹Then 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. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 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.” 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. When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, ¹⁷got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.” John 6:1-21

I think about the disciples often — because I just don’t understand how they could not have been afraid most of the time. Do you agree?

I wonder how the disciples often feel after they witness something so spectacular like the feeding of the 5000 — or seeing Jesus walking on water. Today we would simply say “Where is the plexiglass under the water” — and “not just the little boy but everyone had a small lunch with them and asked Jesus to bless it”. It is too good to be true, we must be getting pranked. But, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves — in fact I want to explore the comments and the conversation between Jesus and his disciples. So, let’s begin with Jesus’ opening statement:

“Where are WE to buy bread for these people to eat?”

Notice Jesus poses this question — and he does NOT say:

“Where are THEY going to buy bread?”

Jesus is not putting the expectation upon the people to find food for themselves. Instead Jesus places the expectation upon the laps of the disciples. Why? Well, I have some thoughts.

Here is my first thought:

Well, first I think we should consider what Jesus DOES NOT say: He does not say “Tell the people to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and fend for themselves.”  He does not say: “You should have thought about this before you left home”. He does not say: “You need to make better decisions in your lives.”

Nope! Jesus says: “Where will WE (meaning he and the disciples together) buy bread for these complete strangers?” Jesus sees a problem — yes — but more importantly he sees an opportunity — an opportunity for his disciples to learn about helping others — about extending hospitality to strangers.

My second thought:

The text does not tell us that the people who had gathered around Jesus were complaining — complaining that they needed something to eat. They were not lamenting their predicament. Jesus foresees this situation, this opportunity — in other words, Jesus thinks ahead. Jesus anticipates their needs — even before they realize their own need. The same is true for you and me – meaning Jesus anticipates our needs as well. Jesus knows us so well, better than we know ourselves — which of course is sad! Too many people around us are so overwhelmed with their problems, so wrapped up in their problems they have no time or ability for true introspection. Which, again, is sad! How can we truly understand the needs of others, or even the depth of G-d’s love for us if we do not know ourselves – really know ourselves. It is Shakespeare who wrote:

“To thine own self be true — and as the night follows day — then thou cannot be false to anyone.”

We must first be true to our own selves, our own gifts, our own sins, our own failings. We must know ourselves — and be honest with ourselves. Certainly we cannot fool G-d — G-d knows us all too well. We might be able to fool others for a time — but not G-d. So we should spend time discerning and accepting who we really are — what our true needs are – and what gifts we have to offer to G-d and to others.

My third thought:

Perhaps this is why Jesus acts first — before the people can plead for help. But, this is how Jesus works. Jesus acts first — especially with our salvation. Jesus doesn’t wait for us to realize we need Jesus — does not wait for us to ask for his Love, Mercy and Grace. Jesus goes to the cross before we know we need the cross — so that we do not have to go to the cross or plead for love and Grace.

Pastor Dave