Enough?

John 6:1-21 The Feeding of the 5,000
 

There are many themes to the story of Jesus feeding the multitudes.  This is one of the few stories that is found in all four gospels, but I want to invite you to consider that the Gospel writer is trying to tell us first and foremost about the power of God in Jesus.

John's powerful discourses about Jesus' actions and words; these are all attempts to draw on the traditions of his people.  Like their ancestors before them, they hold onto the promise of Deuteronomy 18:15, the promise of a prophet like Moses who will be raised up by God to lead them.

Is it any wonder then that they see a good candidate for king in this man of power?  But this desire for a king, however large it may have seemed to the people at the time, is too small a dream.  We now know in our post resurrection world that God’s dream of resurrection or restoration was much much greater than any of the prophets could have considered. 

Jesus is greater than that prophet they had been waiting for all these centuries, even greater than "a wonder-worker" who will fulfill their every need and desire with five loaves and two fish.

I want to invite you to consider that this very familiar passage is about the power of God in Jesus…a power that is “far more than all we can ask or imagine.” (Ephesians)

The disciples were overwhelmed with the needs of the crowds and they could not imagine how five loaves and two fishes would feed a multitude.  The crowds were so overwhelmed by the Roman oppression and they could not imagine a bigger plan for humanity than simply release by establishing Jesus as their new King.  There response is very human and don't think that we do not respond the same way.  How often have we focused out of fear on what we do not have instead on the abundance of what God has already given and is already giving? 

Where the disciples see scarcity, Jesus sees possibility and abundance.  And in the end: there are Twelve baskets left over, much more than enough for all.

-----Pastor Suzanne