DO WE PASS THE TEST?
Or
Have We Learned the Lesson of the Loaves?
I chose this morning to begin reading about how the disciples gathered together with Jesus. They had just heard about the beheading of John the Baptist. We can imagine the sadness they were experiencing, and perhaps too, a little fearful. But they were also I think, feeling pretty good about how things had been going for them. For the scriptures tell us they “reported to Him (Jesus) all that they had done and taught. Or perhaps, they wanted some affirmation for the work they were doing… Some recognition for their efforts?
Aren’t there many of us who are act and feel the same way. When we feel we are doing God’s work, don’t we sometimes want someone to notice, to say, good job and don’t we want that somebody to be someone whom we know to be a solid Christian? Someone to whom we may look up to and admire?
With all that was going on at that time, I think I would want to have known I was ok and to let Jesus know I was really trying to do the things He had sent me out to accomplish. Also, we know from the scriptures, that there was some competition among the apostles from time to time and perhaps they wanted to make sure they got credit for their efforts?
Or perhaps, as they had been scattered throughout the country doing the work of Christ, it was simply good to get back together for mutual fellowship. It was hard work and though we know they had their differences, they were united in their love for Jesus.
Jesus recognized they had been very busy and needed some rest. Even here, they were busy, there we so many people… so busy in fact, they hadn’t even had time enough to eat. So He suggested they go off together to quiet place.
So, they get into a boat and go to a quiet, solitary place. But nothing doing. They were recognized people must have known the spot they were headed because the scripture tell us they got there ahead of them! The Bible tells us they “RAN” there together from all the cities!
So here we are, the apostles and Jesus go ashore to find all these people waiting for them.
How many of us, after a long days work or activity are anxious to get home, or just go someplace quiet for at least a few minutes of rest and solitude? You finally get a moment, maybe just get settled into your most comfortable chair and the telephone rings, or a neighbor stops by unannounced, or your spouse reminds you your were going out that evening or…..
I don’t know about you, but all too often my first response would be, oh no! Now what?
But look at Jesus response. He had COMPASSION on them. He recognized they were like sheep without a Sheppard and he began to teach them.
All this time of course, the apostles are right there with Jesus. They too, are being taught. And they are about to be given another lesson.
It gets late, and the apostles come to Jesus. They know this place is a long way for the local stores and suggest Jesus send the people out to buy themselves something to eat. But Jesus says “YOU give them something to eat.”
Jesus, who sent them out into the country to do miracles and healings and teachings, which they accomplished, tells them YOU do it!
Their response sounds almost like they are angry or put out or it’s the “oh no what now” reaction. The scriptures don’t seem to indicate that they didn’t have the money. It’s more like they didn’t want to spend all that money for these people, or for this reason… Sound familiar…? How easy it is for us to spend money on those things we consider important, those things that bring us pleasure. But how hard it seems for us to put money into the offertory plate, to support the work of God in our community and it the world. After all, it’s our hard earned money isn’t it? Is it? Really?
Jesus doesn’t flinch, doesn’t miss a beat. He asks the disciples, “How many loaves do you have?”
They look around and find they have five loaves of bread and two fish.
Jesus is involved in teaching His disciples at this moment. He is involving them in the next miracle that is about to take place. He has sent the disciples to look for food.
Next, Jesus directs the Disciples to have everyone sit down in small groups. So the disciples must have gone throughout the crowds encouraging them to sit in groups. Remember, there we well over 5000 people there, for the scripture say the number of “men” who had eaten were 5000. There were also women and children.
Next, Jesus looks up to heaven, gives thanks and breaks the loaves. And here’s the next key verse: “Then He gave them to His disciples to set before the people.”
They were involved. They participated in the miraculous feeding of all these people from 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.
But wait there’s more…… The scriptures then tell us the disciples picked up twelve baskets of bread and fish!
What a day that must have been! Can you imagine being there? Even more, can you imagine one of those apostles who were invited by Jesus to be a part of the miracle! WOW what it must have been like to be.
So the feeding is done, the dishes picked up. Jesus knows that, if the disciples were tired at the beginning of this day, they were really tired now, so he “Immediately” made them get into the boat and go on before Him to Bethsaida.
Note: It is important to understand this was not an option. Jesus made, or compelled the disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead. JESUS HAD JUST FINISHED NOT ONLY TEACHING TO THE MULITITUDES, BUT MORE IMPORTANT TO HIM, WAS TEACHING HIS DISCIPLES. THIS WAS A TEST TO SEE IF THEY HAD LEARNED.
Jesus then sends the multitude back to their homes and we read that Jesus, after saying goodbye to the disciples, went up to mountain to pray.
Note: Do we see a pattern here? Jesus frequently went off by Himself to pray. Prayer time is soooo important
Now it’s late. Probably around 3am or 4am. The disciples are rowing across the sea and we see they are somewhere near the middle.
Jesus sees the men straining on the oars as the wind is against them. (Had to be a clear night, though windy, for Jesus to see that far) He walks out toward them, intending the scriptures tell us, to pass by them.
Now why would He do that? Why would He intend to pass by them? If you were in that boat and struggling, do you think it would be reassuring to see Jesus coming toward you. That, after all, having just PARTICIPATED in the miracle of the feeding of all those loves and all that fish to all those people Jesus would look pretty good to you?
The wind was blowing the scriptures tell us, but there is no mention of fog. There is no mention of anything that would distort what they could see that night.
Yet what happens? They though He was a ghost! The scriptures tell us “THEY ALL SAW HIM AND WERE TERRIFIED.
These men had just spent the entire day with Jesus. Jesus had intentionally invited them to participate in a great miracle and what is their reaction?
You would think that:
SURELY – someone would have recognized Jesus!
SURELY – someone would have recognized Jesus and begun singing “IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!”
SURELY – someone would have started singing “What a Friend We have in Jesus”
Jesus had just given them yet another lesson about who he was; the son of god. He had them be a part of the miracle! They not only witnessed the miracle, they were a part of it and yet they failed to recognize jesus when he came to them.
They failed the test.
You have to wonder if Jesus, when he went up to the mountain, had prayed “father, please let them pass the test!”
But they failed the test!
But here’s the good news. Jesus didn’t give them an “f.”
He gave them an ‘i.” An “incomplete.”
How about us? Have we passed the test?
What have we learned from the loaves?
What have we learned from all the scriptures god has given us?
How many times have we tried and failed?
How many times have we let Jesus down?
How may times have we done wrong when we knew we were doing wrong?
How many times have we said “never again Jesus, I’ll never let you down again?” Only to fail again and again and again.
But thank god Jesus isn’t done with us either!
Oh praise god we have a lord who will never give us an ‘f!”
Praise god Jesus only give out and “I.” Because he’s not done with us yet!
Thank God, Jesus, full of compassion and love and grace will Jesus will never give up on us!
Thank God that Jesus says only that we are “incomplete.!
