The Boy Who Gave Away His Lunch
Minister: Rev. Olon M. Lindemood
August 13 and 14, 2011
John 6 1-14
Feeding the Five Thousand
6After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.* 2A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ 6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages* would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ 10Jesus 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. 11Then 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. 12When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ 13So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14When 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.’
“Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
things I would ask him to tell me if he were here:
scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
stories of Jesus, tell them to me. “
Tell Me the Stories of Jesus I love to hear!
The Feeding of the five thousand is a moment of Jesus ministry that is remembered in all four of the gospels.
It is recorded for us so that we might know Jesus!
In this message:
After hearing the story again…
Be like Jesus! Be like Andrew! Be like the Boy!
In the ancient world there was a boy standing in the kitchen with his mother… Mom… I need a lunch … (or … Mom? Can I go see some guy named Jesus today?) … The boy had heard tales of this man from Nazareth who was doing amazing things.
Into an ancient world zip-lock bag … mom prepared (not a peanut butter and jelly sandwich) ( I can’t think about a mom and son without thinking of my own mother fixing my lunches for years…) five barley loaves and two fish…
Perfect lunch for a day on a hill side listening to a teacher …
The boy started the walk… Thought he might not find Jesus … but there were so many people. Thousands. They were all headed to Jesus … he only needed to follow along.
Once he found Jesus, he was amazed… it was amazing … Jesus spoke with such authority and he spoke so that he could understand and it seemed that the older people were paying attention too… Jesus would speak … and then there were intermissions along the way. When Jesus would stop speaking and rest for a little while … his disciples … fishermen mostly would come out into the crowd and visit with people. The boy met Andrew… they talked and got acquainted…
When Jesus paused next, Andrew invited the Boy to come with him to be closer to Jesus … as they approached … they could hear Jesus talking to Phillip … How we going to feed all these people? Do we have enough money to buy food for all these people? Phillip … rolled his eyes… Jesus!?!? Really! Even if we did … which we don’t because that is more money than we make in six months! … there is no place around to purchase that amount of food … (no ancient world COSCO or SAM’S Club) … You know the places where you shop with a semi Trailer for a shopping cart … the places where you don’t buy a box of anything … you buy by the Pallet!... (there were no of those) … Aluminum foil pans of Lasagna all ready to go in the micro waves… and then a little bit of French bread ….
Well… Jesus and Phillip were having the conversation and as Andrew and the Boy walked up … Andrew was ready to help out … Hey Jesus … this boy has five barley loaves and two fish … ( as he said it … he knew what a stupid suggestion that was …) (oops… ‘but what are they among so many people) And Andrew was thinking … (WHAT were you thinking? That was your outside voice … Oh my!)
Then Jesus says …”make the people sit down” … and they did in the grass… cosmic picnic with 5 thousand of his closest friends! … He prayed a blessing over the five loaves and two fish … then told the disciples to distribute the food …
And then gather up the fragments left over … twelve baskets full!
As the people watched… This is the prophet the Lord sent to be in the world!...
BE LIKE JESUS:
Jesus had compassion on those around him …
Jesus was ready for the moment of helping people.
Jesus feared no obstacles.
Jesus trusted God!
Jesus made the day of a young boy!
Jesus had a day … Teaching / preaching / feeding / praying / saving …
Be like Jesus … Trust God! Feed the hungry! Don’t be afraid of whatever is before you!
BE LIKE ANDREW:
Andrew walked among lots of people.
Andrew listened to Jesus.
Andrew visited with innocent people in the crowds.
Andrew was introducing people to Jesus… Andrew brought Peter …
Andrew brought this boy with five barley loaves and two fish!
Andrew innocently blasts out solutions… Andrew trusted Jesus!
Be like Andrew, introduce others to Jesus!
BE LIKE THE BOY:
He brought his lunch.
He wanted to hear Jesus!
He gave his lunch to Jesus!
He gave everything he had that day…
Be like the Boy, give away a lunch to Jesus.
Today our message is not about miracles … Well … yes … it is all about miracles:
Trusting God! Feeding the hungry!
Introducing Jesus!
Giving away a lunch!
And today is not about doing good …
Well.. Yes … it is all about doing good:
Trusting God! Feeding the hungry!
Introducing Jesus!
Giving away a lunch!
And today is not about having to change…
Well… Yes … it is all about having to change:
Trusting God! Feeding the hungry!
Introducing Jesus!
Giving away a lunch!
