6:1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee,
also called the Sea of Tiberias.
6:2 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs
that he was doing for the sick.
6:3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his
disciples.
6:4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near.
6:5 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?"
6:6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going
to do.
6:7 Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough
bread for each of them to get a little."
6:8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to
him,
6:9 "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish.
But what are they among so many people?"
6:10 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.
6:11 Then 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.
6:12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, "Gather up the
fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost."
6:13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five
barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve
baskets.
6:14 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."
6:15 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.
6:16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,
6:17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It
was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
6:18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.
6:19 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.
6:20 But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid."
6:21 Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the
boat reached the land toward which they were going.
Comments:
I find it interesting that in a crowd of five thousand people only
one little boy remembered to pack a lunch.
We all know that if we were to go away for the day we would bring at
least something to munch on. But perhaps there was something special
about this boy? Maybe, unlike the five thousand other people, he
actually heard what Jesus was saying in his heart and felt so moved
that he not only gave away some of what he had, he gave it all to
Jesus.
Such generosity is a rare thing. How many of us, even the preachers
who use God voices on Sunday, can say we have given it all? I know I
can't. That little boy's actions would have been seen as a reminder
of what we all need to do to walk with Jesus, and coming from a
child there's something quite moving about his actions.
A few thoughts for now!
A New Pastor on the Jersey Shore...
New Pastor -- I've always been intrigued by that foresightful kid,
too! There really is sermon material in that young man's
preparation.
We in the Episcopal Church had the Markan version of this story in
the BCP Lectionary last week (and the follow-up story of Jesus
walking on the sea this coming Sunday). I preached a variation on a
sermon I wrote four years ago based on Matthew's relating of the
tale.
Just a couple of weeks and our lectionaries will be back on the same
path... See you then!
Blessings, Eric in OH
I just assumed that the boy was selling the bread and fish and Jesus
and the diciples bought the bread and fish from him. June in TX
In an article titled "The Bottleneck" the following astounding claim
was made:
"For every person in the world to reach present U.S. levels of
consumption with existing technology would require four more planet
Earths." (Scientific American February 2003)
Our society of reckless consumption will someday be the material of
historic legends.
I think the miracle here is the faith in God and the willingness to
share even when the resources seem so inadequate.
I'm sure many know the legend of stone soup and I'm sure many do not
so I will share it briefly this weekend.
Once upon a time, somewhere in Eastern Europe, there was a great
famine. People jealously hoarded whatever food they could find,
hiding it even from their friends and neighbors. One day a peddler
drove his wagon into a village, sold a few of his wares,and began
asking questions as if he planned to stay for the night.
"There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told.
"Better keep moving on."
"Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of
making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron
cauldron from his wagon, filled it with water, and built a fire
under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking
stone from a velvet bag and dropped it into the water.
By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come to
the square or watched from their windows. As the peddler sniffed the
"broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to
overcome their skepticism.
"Ahh," the peddler said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty
stone soup. Of course, stone soup with CABBAGE -- that's hard to
beat." Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a cabbage he'd
retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. "Capital!"
cried the peddler. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and
a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king."
The village butcher managed to find some salt beef...and so it went,
through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there
was indeed a delicious meal for all. The villagers offered the
peddler a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to
sell and traveled on the next day. And from that time on, long after
the famine had ended, they reminisced about the finest soup they'd
ever had.
I think of the lines of people waiting for food, pushing and surging
under the watchful eyes of soldiers armed with guns. We have created
many problems in this world by our guarded sharing and rampant
consumption.
When will we learn that contrary to the current administration's
thinking, peace and posperity comes not from the barrel of a gun but
compassion and the openness to share.
Pr.del in Ia
One of my seminary professors, Wolfgang Roth, pointed out an
interesting characteristic of the feeding of the masses stories in
the Gospels. In the first feeding (the feeding of the 5000), Jesus
and his disciples are in Jewish territory they start with 5 loaves
and 2 fish and end up with 12 baskets. In the second feeding (the
feeding of the 4000), they are in Gentile country and start out with
7 loaves of bread and a few fish, and end up with 7 baskets. The
numbers are important. There are 5 books of law and 2 books of
prophets. The people were all filled on the Word of God. In the
first story they collect 12 baskets of pieces (the 12 tribes of
Isreal) Furthermore, 5 + 2 = 7. The seven loaves in the feeding in
Gentile country (people who would make no distinction between the
sections of Jewish scripture) again represent the word of God. The
collection of 7 baskets is significant because (according to my
professor) the greek word used is better translated "mega-baskets"
indicating some sort of multiplication. 7 X 10 = 70 (By tradition,
there were 70 nations of the Gentiles) Just one more thing to
consider when getting ready. I'll be using this approach and have
found that people all really appreciate it and start noticing other
numerical clues in the Bible and start asking uestions about other
possible meanings for the text. Mark in Illinois
Well I am going to use this with 2 Kings 4:42-44. OT example of this
passage. Lots of things can come out of this. One thing is Some
denominations, people think that only the New Testement applies to
us today! Well, they can see with 2 Kings connection... that isnt
true. We have to take the whole BIBLE and APPLY IT! Cant take part
of the story, or what we like. ALL or NADA! That is way it is with
GOD he wants us all! or we will be in NADA... This could be a
Hellfire and brimstone message... for a UMC to do...it RARE!!
Clerically_Blonde in West Ohio (Wilmington District) p.s. fisher
folk it's your west ohio conf. house mate, I changed my nickname
o.k.
I like to try and discern what questions the text is inviting me to
ask. In the John text I hear several I think. "Hungry People" is my
title. What are we hungry for? Is God enough? Can we be satisfied?
Jesus uses the words "enough" and "satsified" and "want" here. I am
gonna do some talking I think, about consumption in today's world
and the continuing quest for more and more and how nothing is enough
etc. Ours is a hungry world as one of you mentioned. I appreciate
your thoughts on this. The things we are seeking and using to fill
us are large and grandiose and magnificent but Jesus receives the
boy's small offering. And we discover that it is enough. Christ is
enough. God is enough. What God offers is enough. It is what will
satisfy a hungry people and a hungry world. What is that bread? It
is the bread of communion. It is the bread of life. It is the bread
of love. It is the bread of hope that none will be lost. Jesus says
that here in instructing the disciples to "gather up thefragments so
that nothing will be lost" That will preach! But much more prep. to
do. T. in Houston
Looking at the lectionary reading from Ephesians, we are struck with
a powerful revelation: Jesus's "power at work within us is able to
accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine"...
Isn't that what we SEE in the story of the feeding of the crowd in
John's gospel, God's ability to accomplish more than we can ask or
imagine? What does it mean to belong to a God who increases our
resources, physical as well as spiritual? revdlk in Nebraska
To Clerically_Blonde in West Ohio,
I am intrigued as a UM pastor regarding your position on "all or
nothing" in interpreting and living the faith. Not that the
teachings of John Wesley would have anything to do with it but he
did make the distinction between the ceremonial law and the moral
law. In his teaching we are free from the ceremonial law but not the
moral law. But your position at face value does not do that. I would
love to read your final sermon and see how you incorporate daily
worship/study/ communion, tongues, Paul's teaching of women in
church, sending slaves back to their owners, handling of snakes and
other such issues that are in the Bible. Remember your own words,
"It's all or nothing". I will be looking for the link to your
sermon. Mike in NC.
Date: 7/22/2003
Time: 9:48:20 AM
Comment
Pr. del in Ia, Thanks for he reminder of the "Stone Soup" story!
Haven't thought of that in many years, but it is the perfect
illustration for my sermon "Great Expectations." I have always been
intrigued by the story of the loaves & fishes and one young person
who apparently went to hear Jesus teach EXPECTING to be gone all
day. Did others only expect to stay for a little while? Or did they
actually have food with them that they were not wlling to share
until the boy offered what he had? The writer of John doesn't tell
us there is no other food present. He only puts these words in the
mouth of Andrew. "There is boy here who has five barley loaves and
two fish. But what are they among so many people?" It's the only
clue we have regarding food but there may have been other clues that
didn't get included in the gospel account.
Robbie in Central Kansas
Date: 7/22/2003
Time: 12:35:37 PM
Comment
I'm thinking about preaching on "It is I; do not be afraid", and how
Jesus calls us, too, to walk on water, face our fears, and trust in
the power of God. Anybody else thinking along this topic?
Date: 7/22/2003
Time: 1:46:31 PM
Comment
Someone asked: "I'm thinking about preaching on "It is I; do not be
afraid", and how Jesus calls us, too, to walk on water, face our
fears, and trust in the power of God. Anybody else thinking along
this topic?"
In the Episcopal lectionary, we have the walking-on-the-water story
as told by Mark, who quotes the same question. Yes, I plan to preach
on this -- linked (as the BCP lectionary does) with Ephesians
4:1-7,11-16, and Paul's discussion of gifts given for the building
up of the Body of Christ, the Church.
The thrust will be that we are given the various gifts to strengthen
us so that we need not be afraid.
Blessings, Eric in OH
Thanks, Eric in Ohio, for your thoughts on trust, & being
strengthened by God's gifts so as to face our fears. Very helpful
comments. I'll also talk about being empowered to face fears, trust
God, and to extend ourselves beyond our comfort level--to get out of
our boats of comfort/security, etc. to follow God and walk on water.
Will have to do some thinking about what those "boats" are for most
people, and--more importantly--how we can more effectively and
attentively hear God's call & allow God to empower us to walk on
water. This is my first time on this website, and i appreciate all
of your comments.
Peace--
Katherine
Given that John mentions Passover, I think that we can turn to the
Exodus story to gain a little insight into what John might be up to:
Exodus 16 and Numbers 11 talk about feeding the people and about
Moses authority, John 6 does the same for Jesus. Both Moses and
Jesus also head up the mountain to find/reveal God. I think that
there is a further connection with Jesus' statement 'gather up the
fragments' and the Exodus story of the people being gathered by
Moses and becoming a nation once again. It is interesting to ponder
the contrast/connection of Moses as the chosen leader and Jesus as
the Chosen One (especially since Jesus escapes when they want to
make him a king).
I also like the earlier notation about the five barley loaves and
the five books of the Law. There are similar references in John
(John 4:18, John 5:2 to name two). The gospel writer has a
remarkable ability to weave the Jewish story and symbols into
Christ's life.
One other typical John element in this story comes in verse 20
where, if you read your footnotes, Jesus says, "I AM, do not be
afraid." Is Jesus simply identifying himself or is he giving the
blessing, "God is here, do not be afraid." Throughout this gospel,
Jesus is frequently saying I AM, I AM, I AM (much to the irritation
of the Pharasees)
The other repetitive John element here is the resurrection symbol:
Jesus feeds the crowd with the same meal he will later feed the
disciples in a post-Easter story (John 21- where there is again an
over abundance of fish). John pulls us back in time to Moses at the
very same time he is pushing us forward toward the resurrection. It
is as if he is trying to tell us that Jesus is the one for whom
history has been unfolding and the one through whom the future will
be founded. Or, to put it another way: in Jesus, all of creation-
past, present, future- is revealed.
TB in MN
I have preached on this so many times that I had a hard time at
first finding a fresh new reading, but as I read the scriptures it
appeared to me that it was all about focus. We use a variety of foci
is our lives: some for success -keeping our eye on the goal; some to
calm our fears and endure pain - the lamaz method - "Do not be
afraid"; some to bring joy - the childhood game of staring; but most
of all focus on God -the I AM in vs 20, which keeps us Christ
focused. By doing so we become the little boy by doing unto others
as we would have them do unto us. This message whether in John
directly after the feeding of the 5000 or in Mark or Matthew speaks
to us about how Christ focused His life - not on himself, but on God
and God gave him the power of signs and miracles. If we would only
tap into this focus - how much more miraculous would our lives be in
the name of Christ. Jesus set the stage - a small boy showed the
way. Also nicely pulls in Pauls prayer in Ephesians. PH in MI
Disciples afloat in a boat note: Far from the coast, a ghost! They
scream at most, no courage to boast. Who could it be out on the sea?
Nowhere to flee, “Fear not. It’s me!” One is stout. “Call me out”,
he shouts, about to look like a lout. Puddle muddled faith can’t
sustain driving rain, sinking down, about to drown, I’m grabbed by a
hand and made to stand on water like land, “Who is this man?”
ian sd
Without doubt, this is one of the best well known miracle stories.
In the Markan version, Jesus instructs the disciples to gather the
bread and fish; in John, Jesus sets up the miracle by asking the
disciples how they are going to pay for the food to fed the crowd.
In both stories, the disciples participate in the miracle. The
miracle clearly belongs to Jesus, but Jesus has the disciples take
some responsibility for it. They are active agents; not passive
by-standers. I am reminded of the story of the man standing on his
roof while the flood waters continued to rise. As he stood on his
roof, his neighbour shouted up to him, "I'll save you. Come down.
I'll get you to safety." But the man would not get down and called
out, "I believe in God. God will save me." And the man stayed on the
rooftop. Soon the streets were flooded. A man in a boat came by to
save the man. "No," said the man, "I believe in God. God will save
me." And the man remained on his roof. A helicopter came by and the
pilot shouted down to the man, "Climb onto the ladder and I will fly
you to safety." But the man would not climb onto the ladder....The
flood waters rose and the man drowned. He went to heaven and at St.
Peter's Gate, God met him. The man was very angry, "I believed in
you. Why am I here? How could you let this happen to me?" And God
replied, "But I did help you. I sent three people to save you--your
neighbour, a man in a boat and a helicopter, but you wouldn't
listen. We may never witness a miracle as spectacular as the fishes
and the loaves, but we do participate in the little miracles of
everyday life. The disciples can't simply turn the problem over to
Jesus. Nor can they throw money at it (as we do so often with
today's social problems.) It takes a radical change of thinking that
involves working to make miracles happen. The miracles belong to
Jesus, but we are active agents. RC in Quebec
Trust and Obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but
to trust and obey. If the disciples had not trusted and obeyed
Jesus. When he told them to have the people to sit down would there
have been a miracle and if Peter in Matthew 14:29 had not trusted
and obeyed we would not have the miracle of Peter walking on the
water. We must Trust and Obey for there's no other way to be happy
in Jesus. Does the Church trust Jesus? Do we obey what we are told
to do? JSinTX
Hi all. I too have preached this text many times, but each time God
seems to find a way to tell me something new or different. This week
my mind has continually returned to the young lad. What ever
happened to him? Did he see the sign that John says it was all
about? I was also captured by a quote from the movie, Seabiscuit:
"sometimes when the little guy doesn't know he's a little guy, he
can do big things." It seems to me that the young lad had no concern
or doubt that his lunch would be enough so he gave it. It is not
unlike the story of the little girl who was able to save 57 cents
that ended with the building of a larger church. What will God with
our lives when we turn them over? Deke of the North
Here are some of my thoughts on this passage:
Jesus asks them to do the impossible...feed all these people. They
respond; We don't have the resources, there is no way we can do
this... When are we like that? How do we overcome it?
Jesus walking on the water terrifies them...he shows so much
power...so beyond them, they want to get him back in the boat...are
they trying to bring him back down to a level they can handle... but
instead they arrive at their destination... Mike in Maine
Deke of the North said, "It is not unlike the story of the little
girl who was able to save 57 cents that ended with the building of a
larger church."
OK, Deke .. you've piqued my interest... what is the story?
Blessings, Eric in OH
Here's a teriffic quote from C.S. Lewis (I know, I know, that's
redundant)that will also work with the Ephesians passage
"Our problem is not that we expect too much, but too little. We are
like ignorant children who want to go on making mudpies in the slum
because we cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at
the sea. We are far too easily pleased"
Ted Engstrom' president emeritus of World Vision, tells the
following story;
A friend and his young daughter had taken a day trip to Catlina
Island, off the coast of Southern California."it was a baeutiful.
clear day, and the air was as transparent as crystal all the way to
the horizon. As the little girl looked out over the blue Pacific,
she called out, "Daddy! I can look farther than my eyes can see!"
I can't think of a better definition of faith. The disciples saw
hungry people; Jesus saw them fed and satisfied. The others saw a
ghost-Peter saw the possibility that he could walk on water.
May God give us the grace to always look farther than our eyes can
see.
revgilmer in Texarkana
revgilmer offered, "Here's a teriffic quote from C.S. Lewis (I know,
I know, that's redundant)that will also work with the Ephesians
passage ...."
rev, what's the source of the quotation?
Thanks, Eric in OH
Sorry great readers and submitters. I don't have the right place to
ask this simple question so this is the place and the friends I have
turned to. Can any of you good UM freinds help me by telling me what
sermon Outler is quoting in this passage. -"The Word Was made flesh.
I believe this… There is no mystery in it. But as to the manner how
he was made flesh, wherein the mystery lies, I know nothing about
it; I believe nothing about it; it is no more the object of my faith
than it is of my understanding.” Albert Outler, The Works of John
Wesley, Vol 2. Page 384 Thanks, Kyle in TX
Because of my plans to serve Communion next week, I will delay my
use of this passage until then. Although I've read it many times,
this time I immediately recalled the times in my childhood when we
would have surprise guests for dinner. Mom always encouraged us to
have our friends over, and there was rarely a time when they weren't
welcome to stay for dinner if they liked. At times, she would not
have prepared for an extra mouth, and the family would play "FHB".
Family Hold Back. She would cut the meat portions in half so
everyone would have some, and she'd find some leftovers in the
fridge to augment our meager meal into a sumptuous repast. Do you
suppose Moms got lessons from Jesus on how to do that?
--Rich in Bama
I plan to start my sermon by asking for an attendance count and then
asking everyone to pull a dollar bill from their wallet or purse. I
want to make sure that we have one dollar for every person in the
congregation that morning. If someone doesn't have a dollar bill,
we'll see how others are willing to pull out an extra bill for them.
The point is to see how many one dollar bills we can muster up in
our congregation. We may even count up the ones in the offering
plate. Once we get a tally, and I'm sure that there will be a
surplus, I will go into the text and discuss the miracle of people
opening their hearts, as well as their food baskets or wallets
making it possible to see the abundance that exists around and in us
when we are willing to believe and take a chance. I also like John
Lennon's song "Imagine" as a lyrical introduction into the
possiblilities of what can happen when we put things in Christ's
hands. God's blessings to all this Sunday. Karl in Texas
Eric;
The quotation is referenced in John Ortberg's "The Life You've
Always Wanted" and comes from C.S. Lewis "The Weight of Glory"
revgilmer in Texarkana
My sermon thoughts are revolving around "Trusting in God's Power":
1) the power to have faith, to trust, & to believe in miracles; 2)
the power to face our inner hunger & longings, and to be fed &
filled w/ God's grace; and 3) the power to share what we have, and
to extend ourselves in faith & love. But, I'm struggling with how to
get these ideas beyond the abstract and into the concrete so that
the sermon won't just sound nice, but actually be helpful for
people. Any ideas? SK, an inexperienced preacher in Minnesota
Eric in OH:
Here is the story of the little girl with 57 cents. I think I first
read the story on the DPS site a few years ago. I am planning to use
it this week in my sermon, with the theme of small miracles that
lead to big results.
Anyway, here it is: A sobbing little girl stood near a small church
from which she had turned away because it “was too crowded.” “I
can’t go to Sunday School,” she sobbed to the pastor as he walked
by. Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the
reason and taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place
for her in the Sunday School class. The child was so touched that
she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no
place to worship Jesus. Some two years later, this child lay dead in
one of the poor tenement buildings and the parents called for the
kind-hearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle
the final arrangements. As her poor little body was being moved, a
worn and crumpled purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged
from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribbled
in childish handwriting which read, “This is to help build the
little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School.” For
two years she had saved for this offering of love. When the pastor
tearfully read that note, he knew instantly when what he would do.
Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he
told the story of her unselfish love and devotion. He challenged his
deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.
But the story does not end there! A newspaper learned of the story
and published it. It was read by a realtor who offered them a parcel
of land worth many thousands of dollars. When told that the church
could not pay so much, he offered it for 57 cents. Church members
made large contributions. Checks came from far and wide. Within five
years, the little girl’s gift had increased to $250,000 -- a huge
sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love
had paid large dividends. When you are in the city of Philadelphia,
look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300, and
Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained. Have a
look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School
building which houses hundreds of Sunday scholars, so that no child
in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school
time. In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture
of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so
sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it
is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of
the book “Acres of Diamonds - a true story.” Goes to show what God
can do with 57 cents. Like the five barley loaves and two fish that
filled the tummies of five thousand people, this little girl’s gift,
her life savings of 57 cents multiplied to feed the souls of
thousands of people. A true miracle, no less worthy than the stories
of Jesus’ miracles. Yet another sign of the awesomeness of God.
Blessings, Desiree in Sacramento
Kyle in TX ... You're welcome. You might want to quote also the
woman whom Mr. Wesley was echoing. It was that Anglican of all
Anglicans, Queen Elizabeth I, who is reputed to have said,
concerning the question of the Real Presence in the Eucharist,
“Christ Jesus took the Bread and brake it. He was the Word that
spake it. And what that Word doth make it, that I believe, and take
it.”
Thanks to Desiree for the 57-cent story and to revgilmer for the
Lewis source.
Blessings, Eric in OH
The lectionary keeps us in John 6 for five weeks I think. This week
I plan on keeping to the physical realm, feeding the hungry, and
address our tendencey to want to hoard. There will be plenty of
opportunity in the weeks ahead to discuss the spiritual dimension of
the "Bread of Life". Thanks to all sharing the great stories and
quotes, like the soup stone and the 57 cents, and C.S. Lewis. I've
always felt it difficult to preach for 5 weeks straight on "bread".
I've found a good solution. I'm going on vacation in the middle of
it. (No, I didn't really plan it that way.) -- MattMn
Hi folks. Thanks for the great discussion and ideas. I was looking
for more information on the 57 cents story. In my Google search I
found this site (http://www.snopes.com/glurge/57cents.htm)
which tells the story differently. The source sighted is the book
the story comes from (Conwell, Russell H. Acres of Diamonds. New
York: Harper & Brothers, 1915 (pp. 88-92)). I don't know more about
the "snopes.com" site and do not have the book to check out the
tale. Hate to through a damper on a nice inspirational tale.
Mike in Maine
Here is a site where you can find a copy of the sermon preached by
Russell H. Conwell, which tells the whole story of the little girl,
her 57 cents and even includes a portrait of her. It is still an
inspirational story. http://www.library.temple.edu/speccoll/hattie.htm
Mike in Maine
The context for this story is perhaps difficult for us to imagine.
In our day, being caught without food is unheard of. We would always
pack a sandwich or a snack bar if we go to a deserted place. More
likely, we would never be out of sight of a fast food restaurant or
ice cream place.
In Jesus' day, people lived much closer to the edge. Most lived day
to day, and most of their income went to food. So hunger is an ever
present reality. Also grain provided most of the food that they ate.
Meat was reserved for special occasions.
Today, 60% of us are overweight. We only spend 10% of our income on
food.
I think the metaphor "I am the bread of life," is much more powerful
knowing how important bread was to those folks.
Larry cny
Dear Karl and Texas, (and/or anyone else who wishes to speak to
this)
I wonder about your approach for Sunday morning. If I was someone
who was going through a tough time, I would tend to not want someone
to know. If I attended that morning, and didn't have a dollar bill,
and even if there were those who have 5's 10's or 20's, and didn't
have a dollar bill, I might be embarrassed that it have been pointed
out about my condition. I don't think I would come back next week.
We often don't know the underlying stories. A woman attended my
service whom I knew. When we served communion, she didn't come
forward to take. (United Methodist communion is opened to all) I was
concerned, because I thought she wasn't feeling welcomed to a
communion table in which I served. When she came by at the close of
the service, she explained, "I'm allergic to wheat." I think as
pastors we have to be careful of our thoughts and actions
Shalom, pasthersyl
Just a few observations, to do with the link with the Last Supper -
this passage is often seen to be John's version of the institution
od the Lord's supper....
It was passover
the men were reclining ... the same word is used in John 13
They intended to come and make him king by force .. (the link with
John 19)
after the feeding of the 5000 in John 6 go across the lake and head
into a storm
Rev Ev
Continuing with the link to the last supper and eucharist. Jesus did
the miracle (and I believe it was a miracle), but the boy and the
disciples were involved, as another person has commented.
I plan to link the story with our weekly eucharist, where we
remember the death and resurrection of our Lord, that miracle which
enables us all to share in the meal around his table.
And we also bring offerings - of bread, wine, and money, but more
importantly, we bring our lives and these lives are given, as the
bread and fish were, for God to do as he wills with us - to
transform us by his love and power at work in us. ...
As one of our collects has it 'O Lord, you have taught us that all
our doings without love (God's love) are nothing worth. Send your
Holy Spirit, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of
love, the true bobd of peace and of all virtues, without which,
whoever lives is counted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of
your only Song, Jesus Christ our Lord.'
Rev Ev
I'm working on this while you all are asleep probably (not becuase I
work through the night, but I'm a few hours ahead in the UK!)
So, three posts in a row as I peruse the passage.
I think I have an outline
Theme ... Offerings and what God does with them
Offering 1 ... the boy in John 6 and subsequent miracle
Offering 2 ... Jesus offering on the cross and subsequent miracle of
resurrection bringing life to us (use links in John 6 to the last
Supper mentioned earlier)
Offering 3 ... the offering of the little girl and her 57 cents
...(thanks for that in an earlier post) ... and the subsequent
miracle that led to enlarged church and enlarged ministry of
university and hospital
Offering 4 ... our own offering at the eucharist ... bread and wine,
with the subsequent miracle of Jesus' presence with us and the
offering of our lives, and the subsequent miracles of new birth and
life in the power of the Spirit.
Grace and Peace Rev Ev
One of the phrases or ideas that has been a comfort and source of
hope for me in this telling of the event is that the scraps were
gathered up: that nothing should be wasted.
There are people in the pews feeling like so much of their lives is
wasted. They might be encouraged to know that God wastes none of it!
To emphasize the small amount that was in the lad's lunch I brought
a can of sardines and small small hard rolls and revealed them as I
preached. This engaged the worshippers' vision (as they looked on
the small amount) as well as their sense of smell. That was several
years ago and I had some remind me of it just recently.
tmh in ohio
I am using the small boy in my children's sermon. I hope that I can
move the whole congregation to understand that even the smallest,
even the youngest and even the oldest, even the weakest etc. can and
are good disciples, if they are active agents for the Lord. I am
using a basket with two gold fish crackers. and then using a two
whole bags to illustrate how much Jesus would produce. I will pass
them in the bags around the congregation for all to take some. I am
hoping that there will be some left. If not I always can say that I
am not Jesus!
Thanks for the stone soup story reminder! Right now for the first
time since I have been here the finaces are very tight. So many
factors at work. We can raise a lot of money for a specific thing,
but find it harder for the everyday stuff. Common concern. I also
want to stress not putting God into our small ever so small human
made boxes. Nancy-WI
I am using the small boy in my children's sermon. I hope that I as
an agent of God can be His vehicle to move the whole congregation to
understand that even the smallest, even the youngest and even the
oldest, even the weakest etc. can and are good disciples, if they
are active agents for the Lord. I am using a basket with two gold
fish crackers. and then using a two whole bags to illustrate how
much Jesus would produce. I will pass them in the bags around the
congregation for all to take some. I am hoping that there will be
some left. If not I always can say that I am not Jesus!
Thanks for the stone soup story reminder! Right now for the first
time since I have been here the finaces are very tight. So many
factors at work. We can raise a lot of money for a specific thing,
but find it harder for the everyday stuff. Common concern. I also
want to stress not putting God into our small ever so small human
made boxes. Nancy-WI
Several years ago, Matthew's account of Jesus walking on the water
happened to fall on my last Sunday at a church. "Called From the
Boat" made a great sermon for leaving--both the congregation and I
had been called from the certainty, comfort and safety of the boat
into an uncertain walk of faith into future unknowns. I have used
some variation many times since when I have left a parish. And it
also works pretty well for the first Sunday at a new church. And
speaking of preaching on one's last Sunday, tomorrow I will preach
for the last time at this church and for quite awhile. I will begin
a leave of absence until such a time as I can find something at
least within commuting distance from my Lutheran pastor husband.
There is a long, sad story behind this which also includes several
of my clergy colleagues, but this is not the forum to elaborate.
Suffice it to say that the UM system is something like the poem
about the "little girl with the curl" When it works, it is very good
and when it doesn't, it is horrid. I will continue to lurk here at
DPS because you guys are great and I love to read your insights. The
other LP in CO P.S. the first "LP in CO" is facing some serious
health challenges right now and I know she would treasure your
prayers.
My first contribution to this site:
I am borrowing from a sermon I heard many years ago with a
stewardship theme for this text.
I am calling it: "Will it be enough?"
We tend hoard what we have because we are afraid it won't be enough
for ourselves. And if we start trying to share it with the needy we
are sure we will run out.
Jesus takes the little bit that the boy has and after offering it to
God there is plenty to go around.
If we offer everything we have to the Lord first, then we can be
confident there will be enough for ourselves and others later.
Thanks for the 57 cent story. I will be working it in.
Rev Ed In Minnesota
This is a lovely example of stewardship and thrift (John 6: 9 & 12)
as well as foreshadowing (as many have pointed out in the past). It
is interesting that the generosity of the boy (un-named) is almost
unrecorded; as poor as the disciples were, surely the boy could not
have been far better off; yet offering up this to the multitude,
through faith, satisfied the five thousand and left physical returns
greater than the donation.
Rev Ed,
I am thinking along similar lines, talking about gifts (money, food,
time, knowledge, talent, love etc...)and how we can choose either to
hoard them or use them and how when these gifts are offered to Jesus
they are more than enough.
I also intend to link it to Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able
to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his
power that is at work in us"
Erin in Ontario
In addition to my recent posting, I think that I will tell the story
of how my gifts were made more than enough when I visited a patient
at the hospital where I took my CPE course.
This is the story:
I had an experience in the hospital a couple of months ago. I went
up to the ICU at my hospital and asked the nurses if there was
anyone in particular they thought could use a visit from me. One of
the nurses considered the question for a moment and then asked how I
would feel about going into the Full Isolation room to visit
someone. The nurse let me know that the patient had been transferred
from a Toronto hospital and that SARS was unconfirmed, but not ruled
out. The nurse also indicated that the patient was intubated (a tube
was inserted down her throat to help her breathe) and she could not
talk to me.
I was scared. I had never been in a Full Isolation room before and
it seemed like a very big process to go in and out. There was a lot
of gear involved, which I had not used before.
I was nervous about the word SARS as well, even though the word
“unconfirmed” came attached to it. It made SARS so real, when it had
seemed so distant to me before.
I was scared about what to do when I got in the room. How do I be
with a patient who can’t talk?
I made up my mind to go in and see what happened. With the help of
the nurse, I donned the two gowns, two pairs of gloves, booties,
hairnet, goggles, mask and face shield. By the time I put it all on,
I felt like a visitor from space. I thought that there was no way I
could communicate with anyone through all the layers. My breath was
fogging my glasses, which was also fogging the face shield and
distorting my vision.
Add to this the fact that it is very hot under all those layers. So
by the time I went into the room, I was scared, hot and sticky, and
feeling like an alien without a clue as to how to communicate.
I went in and went to the side of the bed the patient was facing.
She looked at me and was crying heavily. I didn’t know what to do. I
did not know how to ask her why she was crying. Yes and No questions
just weren’t coming to mind. I thought about holding her hand and I
had a moment where my mind raced with questions; “am I allowed to
touch her? She had many problems other than respiratory failure, one
of which was Cellulitis. She looked painful and swollen all over. I
didn’t want to hurt her and I didn’t want to violate any isolation
rules. Then I thought that the nurses touch her and I am wearing all
the equipment so I am safe, and I figured I would look for signs
that I was causing her pain.
I looked at her and said “My name is Erin, I’m going to stay here
and hold your hand for a while OK?” She blinked her eyes and stopped
crying a bit. I started to stroke her hand. I wondered how it must
feel to have gloved hands stroke your skin and I wondered if it felt
too uncomfortable for her. As I was worrying about things, I heard
her start to breath to the rhythm of my hand stroking her hand. She
closed her eyes and just breathed as I stroked her hand.
Eventually she fell asleep. I left the room.
I was scared, hot, and feeling anxiety about what to do. I felt like
I didn’t have the knowledge or skill to be in such a situation. I
asked God to use me and what I learned was that the simple act of
reaching out and touching someone was enough. I learned that I was
enough. Just as I am, in whatever state, I am enough to participate
in God’s ministry. We are exactly what God needs. Erin in
Ontario.
