John 6:1-21                         What’s all going on here???                                        26/7/15

¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). ¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

¹² When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” ¹³ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

¹⁴ After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” ¹⁵ Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

¹⁶ When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, ¹⁷ where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. ¹⁸ A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. ¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. ²⁰ But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” ²¹ Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

This reading here today speaks of things happening that are way beyond what any reasonable person can accept. This is all impossible! Surely it is fantasy! Surely this cannot be accepted in our sceptical world today. Surely a person cannot walk on water; or feed so many with so little and then to finish up with far more than they started with. This has to be just a great story.

Yet, despite the impossible nature of these things, we are called on to believe that they really happened and to live in light of it.  This is for real and it is important for us today.  There is a lot in this that we today need to consider once again. This speaks a powerful word to a church and world that has lost its way. So we need to ask the question: What’s all going on here?

The first thing that we need to think about is the fact that so many people were searching for answers; for someone to fix things and make things right for them. And they were looking for hope. Crowds of them were prepared to go out of their way to receive these things when they catch a glimpse of the possibility that here in Jesus this might be so. They knew things were not right and good and so were searching for what they knew deep down in their heart should be there for them.

For us today not a lot has changed. People are still looking for answers, a better life, and for hope. The only difference is that they have given up on Jesus to provide these things. Sadly the church today all too often has failed to stand boldly and confidently on the truthfulness of God’s Word. They have twisted it to accommodate the thinking of a self-centred society. Christianity has become all about us and what we want it to be.

So the society around us no longer sees Christianity as being about the truth, power and love of God. They see the atrocities and sinfulness of Christians, but not the forgiveness, power and restoration to God’s family. They do not see the centrality of Jesus and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. So the wonder and power of Jesus death and resurrection is not seen.

Instead they see people who want to make Jesus their king by force. In other words, as I said a few moments ago, they want a Jesus who fits into their way of thinking, instead of the other way around.  Back in Jesus day, they wanted a king who could feed them without them having to lift a finger: heal them when they got sick or disabled; and who would hopefully drive out the Romans so that they could live and do their own thing.

So also today, too often, when people look at Christians they see people who are trying to use Jesus to suit their own ends. Is it any wonder then that they are not interested or even intrigued by the Christian message? They see Christianity as being phoney.

In our reading we hear that Jesus withdrew from the people when he saw what they were wanting to do, by making him their king. We could well ask, is the same thing happening today?  Has Jesus withdrawn from the church because they are trying to use him for their own ends? Serious questions!

However, to his own disciples he goes on and shows even great miracles. Here in this reading his disciples are out on the lake, going to the other side, when suddenly they see Jesus coming walking on the water. We are told that they were frightened. Who wouldn’t be? This is really weird.

For them and for many others; Here God himself is at work, big time. There is no other explanation. But still that question, I am sure, would continue to be, what is going on here? What is all of these impossible things happening mean?  Everyone is seeing these miraculous things and are drawn to him. But why? What is going on?

Yes sure, God is at work here; and he seems to be making that point clearly and powerfully with all his miracles. Gradually however, the disciples came to a clearer understanding that here was the Messiah; the one promised again and again throughout the Old Testament.  Here God was coming to rule his people in a way that has never been before.

Here now in Jesus this is all being fulfilled. Here in Jesus God has come to rule his people with power, truth and hope. But not in the way the world understands or wants; but needs. Here in his miracles he is establishing his credentials, so that when the important things happen, they might be accepted.

But at this point he is seeking to leave no one in doubt as to the fact that here God has come to do some very important things for his people for all time.  So sit up and take notice! Now it is time to take God and what he has to say and do seriously. God is here in all his power and glory; and is seeking to do what is necessary in order to give people what they need.

At the same time God presence is seeking to get people to see that they are far from being the people that God would have them be. Jesus continually in the midst of the miracles was pointing out that we are not doing or able to do what is necessary for us to be in God’s presence. We all are sinners who fall far short of what is required. So our only hope is to look to and believe in this one who has come from God.

Here we also need to remember that the Promised Messiah was connected to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is why he walked away from letting them make him king. He had for more important things to do yet before he becomes King. Besides the kingship that he has in mind is far greater and broader than what the people wanted.

To be Lord and King he had to go to the cross and die. It is only there that he could be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Only there could humanity look in order to be able to live and have hope. Only there could humanity receive the forgiveness and help that they needed. Only from there would he be able to truly rule over his people with justice and mercy.

But how could we look to this one and know that this is God doing what was necessary for our salvation. Surely God overcoming evil and death would have to be with power and a great show of God Almighty’s strength. But no, it was by giving his life that we might live. It was by his death that he could overcome the devil’s power over us.

But how can we be sure that this was not just another of the many crack-pots that have died for the cause of establishing some contrived kingdom? Well the miracles that Jesus performed were all signs pointing to the fact that here God has come. So here it was God who died on the cross. Here it was God who was taking the punishment that you and I deserve. Here is what God sees as absolutely important for us as human beings.

But then just to seal it completely, he raises his Son Jesus back to life and seats him at his right side. Yes he most definitely is God come to be Lord and Saviour for us all. Here is the proof that Jesus was God come to establish God kingdom for you and me and all of humanity.

This is what is all going on here? Here God is establishing his credentials for us all. Here we can know for sure that God has the power, salvation and hope for us all that we need, which is far more than we know or could have thought possible. Now we can look to Jesus and take everything that he has said and done, as for real. Now we have one that we can live under as king, knowing that he has our good in mind, in everything.

Yes he may not give us what we think we need, but he will give us what is good for us: even if it may not seem so at the time. But we know that he has the power to do the impossible. We know that everything he has given to us in his word –the Bible, is true and for our good. We know that what he says about our sinfulness is true, and we can acknowledge it. But we know most importantly that through his death on the cross and his resurrection that we have forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.

So now we can look to him with complete confident and accept everything that he has to say and do in our lives as for real and for our good. We can trust him, knowing that he is the Way and the Truth and the Life. To him then be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish