In case I didn't mention it before, this week we're being taught by Padraig Twomey, a reconciliation worker between Catholics and Protestants in Belfast, Ireland. Today we had a pretty cool mini-sermon from him.
In John 6, It's passover time, a time to share meals traditionally, and Jesus just happens to share one with 5000 people. When the other disciples don't know what to do, it's Andrew, the litle brother who notices the small details, who mentions 2 fish and 5 barley loaves - traditionally the harvest offering to God, also the poor man's bread. It mentions that the crowd is on the green grass - unusual for Israel, especially around that time of the year. It's like Eden again - God is walking around feeding men and all around is green and lush.
But then Jesus leaves and straight after this picnic experience, it's storms and darkness for the siciples as they try to cross the lake in their small boat.
It's like the Christian life - great picnic experiences where everything is lush and life is great, church is great e.t.c. But you have to leave sometime and go through the darkness where you may not see your way and there's nothing solid beneath you and you may feel the absence of God. Yet Jesus is on the shore and he sees them (without judgement or annoyance because they left him behind). He walks out to them on the water, which is like arecreation of Genesis 1 where the Spirit of God hovered over the waters and chaos, now the Son of God walks over the waters.
When he reaches the boat, it says that they made to let him in, and found they were already at their destination. Like on our journeys when we think we're aiming for somewhere, even if it's a good goal like being a missionary, when we encounter Jesus, we're already at our real destination.
If we carry our crosses in life we meet Jesus more than at the picnic, he will walk out to us.
No comments:
Post a Comment