Listen to Sermon
Pastor Tom Johnson, July 29, 2018
Today, Jesus heals the sick, feeds a large crowd with just a few loaves and fish, avoids being forcibly made king, and walks on water. All in a day’s work! Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all include the account of Jesus feeding the large crowd. What makes John’s version unique is his development of Jesus’ character. He wants us to get to know this Jesus who continually evades being pinned down or reduced to a manageable formula. In other words, our Scripture wants us not to just learn about Jesus—but realize the tremendous impact knowing him will have on our lives. He is not just a miracle worker, rightful king, and defier of the laws of physics. He is God himself in the flesh of Jesus of Nazareth.
First, Jesus gathers a large crowd because of all the healings they witnessed and heard about that day. Then Jesus asks Phillip where they are going to find the nearest grocery store to feed the large crowd. Yes, I believe this is another example of Jesus’ sense of humor. He is preparing his disciples for what he was going to do next, John tells us. When Andrew points out the five loaves and two fish the boy had, Jesus says “That’s enough. Supper is ready.” Somehow as they were passing the food around, the bread and the fish were enough. What seemed small and insignificant is sufficient to feed a large crowd. Because of that miracle, the crowd believes Jesus to be a prophet and king. They try to take him by force to make him king. And somehow Jesus escapes back up into the mountain alone. The disciples decide to cross the Sea of Galilee without Jesus. During a storm, they see Jesus walking on the water. Once they get over their fear and realize it is Jesus, they let him in the boat. And somehow, even though they are in the middle of the sea, as soon as Jesus enters the boat, the boat hits the other side of the shore. It was like a time warp or worm hole Jesus took them through to the other side. One moment they are in the middle of a storm, the next they are safely ashore.
The thread that ties all Jesus’ miracles together is the Jesus who refuses to be put in a box. He will not let people so easily reduce him into something much less significant than who he truly is. Think about the question Christians often ask: “What would Jesus do?” After hearing the reading today, we should say, “How could I possibly predict what Jesus would do?” John introduces us to the Jesus that “surpasses knowledge” who is powerfully “at work within us [and] is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” John wants us to learn the lesson of the large crowd and the disciples that day.
First lesson, do not underestimate what God can do with so few resources. It is not about our talent, riches, bread, or fish. It is about the Lord who will provide. God used what few resources the boy had. God loves to use us when we are his humble children. He loves to do great things through our little resources.
Second lesson, do not politicize Jesus. The crowd tried to forcibly make Jesus an earthly king—the king of Israel. We do not do God any favors when we make Jesus into our own political image—when we make him out to be a socialist, a libertarian, a republican, or a democrat. His reign has no boundaries. His dominion cannot be reduced to just one little corner of this vast universe let alone somewhere on the political spectrum. He is King of kings and Lord of lords.
Third lesson, Jesus is not just another passenger during life’s storms. He will take us safely to the other side. He is the goal and destination—to know him, to trust and love him above all things.
Jesus will feed a large crowd again with what appears to be a small resource—his own Body and Blood. He will take a loaf of bread and say, “Take, eat; this is my Body, which is given for you.” He will take a cup and say, “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the New Testament in my Blood.” He will not just satisfy a large crowd with this meal, but generations and nations of hungry souls needing the forgiveness of their sins.
The crowds will try take Jesus by force again. But this time, they will arrest him, mock him as king because he does not fit into their small-minded and darkened understanding. But in his royal death and resurrection, he will confirm his reign as King of the Universe. And his reign will accomplish far more than all we can ask or imagine. Because he is unimaginable this Jesus. To him be all glory indeed.
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| "Jesus, King of the Jews," Dirck van Baburen (circa 1594-1624) |
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