Divine Bread
Christopher B. Harbin
John 6:24-35
Lectionary, Year B, Proper 14
When I am truly hungry, there is little more significant than food. When I truly thirst, drinking something is my greatest priority. When I fear, safety, security, and peace are my most pressing issues. There are times, however, when such needs pale in light of some greater, more pressing need. When we look at solutions to life's very basic needs, it can be hard to view them from a proper perspective. Sometimes a meal is more about acceptance, sharing, or building connection than meeting a desperate need for nourishment. When Jesus provides manna, what is the significance of this Divine bread?
Perhaps Jesus made a mistake by feeding the crowds. After all, they misinterpreted the meaning and significance of his mercy and compassion. They focused on escaping the drudgery of work and looked to Jesus as a never-ending buffet, exempting them from life's harsher realities, especially under Roman Occupation. They missed that Jesus had indeed fed them more than anything as a means to teach his disciples. He met the crowd's needs as an example to his followers that they should be relying on God's provision as they interacted with others, not on their own strength and abilities.
The multitude he had fed wanted to become dependent on him, but neither for the right reasons, nor in the right manner. Jesus had left them behind because of their attempt to force him to become their king, the military and political leader they hoped would expel Rome and usher in a golden era of wealth and power for Israel. When they found him and called him Rabbi, he did not fall for their flattery. He was indeed a teacher, but they were not intent on learning from him. They were not intent on following Jesus' direction. They were intent of pressing him into service on their behalf, for their benefit, with no thought to Jesus' direction or priorities. He had fed them, then he had retreated into the hills, la ...
Christopher B. Harbin
John 6:24-35
Lectionary, Year B, Proper 14
When I am truly hungry, there is little more significant than food. When I truly thirst, drinking something is my greatest priority. When I fear, safety, security, and peace are my most pressing issues. There are times, however, when such needs pale in light of some greater, more pressing need. When we look at solutions to life's very basic needs, it can be hard to view them from a proper perspective. Sometimes a meal is more about acceptance, sharing, or building connection than meeting a desperate need for nourishment. When Jesus provides manna, what is the significance of this Divine bread?
Perhaps Jesus made a mistake by feeding the crowds. After all, they misinterpreted the meaning and significance of his mercy and compassion. They focused on escaping the drudgery of work and looked to Jesus as a never-ending buffet, exempting them from life's harsher realities, especially under Roman Occupation. They missed that Jesus had indeed fed them more than anything as a means to teach his disciples. He met the crowd's needs as an example to his followers that they should be relying on God's provision as they interacted with others, not on their own strength and abilities.
The multitude he had fed wanted to become dependent on him, but neither for the right reasons, nor in the right manner. Jesus had left them behind because of their attempt to force him to become their king, the military and political leader they hoped would expel Rome and usher in a golden era of wealth and power for Israel. When they found him and called him Rabbi, he did not fall for their flattery. He was indeed a teacher, but they were not intent on learning from him. They were not intent on following Jesus' direction. They were intent of pressing him into service on their behalf, for their benefit, with no thought to Jesus' direction or priorities. He had fed them, then he had retreated into the hills, la ...
There are 10268 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
