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After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When 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?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus 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.Then 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. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When 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.’ When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going. (John 6:1-21)
Good day dear one! I pray this finds you doing well and enjoying the afterglow of having been in God's presence yesterday during worship. We have much to pray about, mainly joys that were shared with us in our church yesterday; chief on my list, the presence of my bride in worship after a month and a half of recovery at home. I thank God for that. I believe the Lucas family had visitors from Nebraska and Russia with us! There were birthday people and anniversary folks with us as well; and some kind souls dedicated the morning flowers to our church staff, which was very meaningful to Pastor Matt and myself!
I love sharing ConCafe with you each morning, because I learn from the word of God each time I open it. I find words or phrases that I had just glanced or or didn't pay enough attention to them. Today's passage is a case in point. I noticed that after this awesome miracle, the people wanted to force Jesus to be their king! Why hadn't I noticed that? But, after years of having to try and praise God for the miracle as shared, I also share some of the scholarly work that has tried to reasonably or rationally explain how this miracle could occur. In other words, some do not really believe the Son of God; the son of the Creator, could take five barley loaves and two fish and have enough food to feed 5,000 people; at the disciples' reasoning, a feat that would have cost about $25,000 in today's money. Obviously, they did not have that kind of money. And some had said, what happened was, that when others saw the generosity of the little boy, they shared what they had brought and presto change-o, they had enough food. Close, but no cigar! Others have said, the Roman soldiers, who were everywhere, must have been watching the crowd to make sure they didn't plan a revolt, so they shared their sack lunches with the crowd and enough was had for 5,000. Hmm. Nice try. How about this; God's power was with Jesus, Jesus saw a need, and with His prayer and power, multiplied the loaves and fishes so that everyone ate and at the end, there were 12 baskets of left overs? You're free to believe whatever you like; I'll stick with the story. The awesomeness of God does not lend itself to be limited. As God sees a need and God responds, unexplainable things tend to happen. We call those events miracles. And guess what, they still happen today!
The awesomeness continues. After many years of not knowing a benevolent king, and with the recent years having been under Roman control, with Roman puppet heads as kings in the area, the idea of a king who cares enough to feed the hungry in miraculous ways is enough to convince the people that Jesus would make a wonderful king. Even if He didn't want to! Jesus walks away from that to continue the real work that would address the most pressing need; people getting right with God. The disciples see a second miracle, Jesus walking on the water, and the Lord responds with the words so many still need to hear today, "It is I; do not be afraid." God told this to Adam and Eve in the Garden after their sin, and God would share it again after Jesus' death; truly a message we have to share with so many, especially in times like today.
Jesus is our King. Jesus is a benevolent ruler. Jesus cares for, and takes care of, us. Jesus comes as He who takes away our fears and it is a message that we should share with others. And we should start with us.
PRAYER: Loving Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the unexplained wonderful things that happen in our lives every day. We are a blessed people. Help us become the blessed people who bless others with words, deeds, actions, and love. Grant us courage and boldness to witness to the truth. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be one who shares what you have now, with those in need now. In Christ Jesus' name, amen!
Eradio Valverde
