| "Life Giving Bread" - John 6:25-35 - November 21, 2004
We recently had lunch at Thurman’s in German Village in Columbus. They are known for their specialty hamburgers. I ordered a bacon cheeseburger. When our waiter brought our meals to us I couldn’t believe how huge the burger was. It must have stood five inches high on my plate. The waiter said it had ¾ pound of hamburger in it. It tasted wonderful and although we had to wait about 30 minutes it was worth the wait.
That sandwich was the same as three quarter pounders at MacDonalds’. My stomach was so full I could barely walk and I couldn’t eat for two days. But eventually I became hungry again and by Sunday evening I was ready for a chicken dinner. We can’t live without food and we Americans really enjoy a quality meal. However, whether we dine at a four-star restaurant or some fast food place, we eventually get hungry again because we are never satisfied.
We need to eat to survive, but here in John, Jesus, is telling the people by the Sea of Galilee something quite different. He was saying that food may fill their stomachs but it will never fill their souls. He had just fed 5,000 folks with five loaves of bread and two fish. However, they were still hungry and followed after him. Jesus had satisfied their hunger for food but now he tells them what they really need is food for their souls.
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." What does Jesus mean by bread of life? How can he satisfy our hunger and our thirst?
When I ate that huge cheeseburger I thought, "Why did I do that to myself? If I continue to eat like that I will look like the Pillsbury Dough Man. Why didn’t I just order a salad?" Like most Americans I have a passion for food. I enjoy fine dining and quality food. In our society we drive great distances to eat at our favorite restaurants. We spend good money. We want a good atmosphere, good service and we are willing (in most cases) to wait in line to eat what we want. Let’s be honest, we are very passionate when it comes to food.
I believe that what Jesus was trying to do was to get his listeners to be passionate about matters of faith. He wants us to desire food for the soul in the way we desire food for our stomachs. Have you ever had a passion for something or some goal? To what extreme were you willing to go to reach your dream?
In October, 1958, Legson Kayira, of Nyasaland, Africa, was determined to get a college education in America. With a five day supply of food, a small ax for protection, a blanket, a Bible and a copy of Pilgrim’s Progress, Legson set out for Cairo. He would have to journey 3,000 miles from his tribal village across East Africa in order to board a ship to America.
Legson was determined to get an education. His hero was Abraham Lincoln and he wanted to be like Booker T. Washington, a great reformer and author. Legson wanted to serve humankind and make a difference in the world. Legson had no money and had no idea what college he would attend, even if he made it to the states.
But, Legson had a passion to pursue his dream of getting an education. Although he was impoverished, he had been given many books from missionaries which inspired him to seek his goal. He started out on his journey and after 5 days he had covered only 25 miles and was already out of food. Yet, to turn back was to give up. He continued on. Sometimes he walked with strangers but he mostly walked alone. He passed through many villages, some friendly and some not. He occasionally found work and shelter but frequently slept under the stars. When a fever struck him he was attended to by strangers. He became discouraged and turned to his two books which renewed his faith.
Legson continued his journey and after fifteen months he reached Kampala, Uganda. He was one third of the way to Cairo. There he remained for six months working odd jobs and spending his spare time in the library. He was now growing stronger and wiser, especially in the ways of survival. In his library readings he learned about Skagit Valley College, in Mount Vernon, Washington. He wrote to the dean explaining his situation. He wrote to other colleges too, in case Skagit did not reply. But the dean at Skagit Valley College was impressed with Legson’s determination and offered him a full scholarship plus a job.
Still more obstacles stood in his way. He would have to acquire a Visa and Passport plus verification of his birth. He relied on the missionaries in his village who helped to push the paperwork through the necessary channels. Legson, undeterred by the obstacles pushed on toward Cairo, believing that somehow he would raise the money for passage to the states. He was so confident he spent the last of his money on a pair of shoes, so he wouldn’t have to enter college barefoot.
Months passed and word of his courageous journey spread. He reached Khartoum, penniless and exhausted but he was becoming a legend back in Mount Vernon, Washington where students raised enough money for air fare. In December of 1960, over two years after beginning his journey, Legson arrived at Skagit Valley College. All he had was his treasured two books. Legson graduated from Skagit but his passion to go further stayed with him. He became a professor of political science at Cambridge University in England and a well known author. (from Unstoppable, by Cynthia Kersey)
To understand Jesus as the bread of life is to be passionate about our faith. It is to seek after his word and to follow his teachings. To "come to him" means we may have to rearrange our lives and shift some of our priorities. To come to Jesus means we must leave something behind. To be persons of passion means we make sacrifices and we truly have an appetite for the "bread of life."
Secondly, to understand Jesus as the bread of life is to trust. Trust involves risk. Trust involves behavior that causes us to act in extraordinary ways. Imagine the trust that Legson must have had as he journeyed across Africa. Following is a story that might help to explain what it means to trust.
Far away in a lonely desert stands a water pump in the sand. You are a solitary traveler, and your canteen is empty and you come upon that pump. Tied to it is a hand written sign put there by some pilgrim. The sign reads; "I have buried a bottle of water to prime the pump. Don't drink any of it. Pour in half of it to wet the leather. Wait, and then pour in the rest. Then pump. The well has never gone dry, but the pump must be primed to bring the water up. Have faith, believe. When you are through drawing water, fill the bottle and bury it in the sand for the next traveler."
Having come upon this pump in the desert with this sign and being out of water, what would you do? Would you dig the water bottle from the sand and drink from it, or will you believe and dare to trust and pour that water into the rusty pump? When you trust, you take a risk, both for yourself and for the next person who will pass that way.
To accept the life giving bread of Jesus is to trust in God. It means we have the faith that God will provide all we need. It also means that by trusting in God we will be satisfied.
I probably should have passed on that cheeseburger. It seems that whenever I indulge in fattening food I feel guilty. Although a low-carb, fat free, diet would be good for me this isn’t what Jesus was promoting. To receive the "Bread of Life" is to receive the forgiveness Jesus gives. It means to live a guilt free life. It means to live in the grace of God.
Perhaps you have made some decisions in your life that have done you more harm than good. Perhaps you have had some wonderful dreams or goals but you gave up because you were afraid or the odds seemed to great. Perhaps your faith is weak and to follow after the ways of Jesus seems impossible. Forgiveness enables you to move forward. Forgiveness makes it possible to erase the past and begin again.
Today, we receive the life giving bread of Jesus from this table. May we be passionate about our faith. May we trust in God and may we truly accept the forgiveness Christ gives.
Dr. Keith Wagner
"The Dream Team" - Eph. 4:11-16 - August 6, 2000
This past week St. Paul’s Church held our annual Vacation Bible School. I always make an attempt to be in town to be supportive of the program and provide whatever talents I have to help.
On the very first evening of the program I came to the church to see if there was some area in which they needed me. It was obvious from the first minute I entered the building that everything was running smoothly. The children were gathered in the sanctuary and there were plenty of adults to supervise and provide leadership. So rather than stay and be in the way, I returned home with all the confidence that this was going to be a good week.
Sometimes we pastors think that only "professionals" can do ministry. We underestimate the energy and faith of our laity to build the faith community. When Paul addressed the Church at Ephesus, he emphasized the fact that everyone is in ministry and that people have different gifts. "Some are apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and some teachers." Only through the efforts of everyone, is the body of Christ built up. Together we are a "team" who nurture one another, teach one another and most importantly, love one another.
Last Monday was the deadline for major league baseball to make their final trades for the season. A number of teams spent millions of dollars, all for the purpose of winning the world series. Each was attempting to build a "dream team" that would aspire to championship status. The Cincinnati Reds traded away their number one starting pitcher to the New York Yankees. Ironically, the day after he left, they started winning ball games.
I believe that Paul wanted to have a dream team for the Church. The Church had to get its act together if it was going to compete with the secular world. To be successful the people had to change their ways. They had to work together and be a team. But, it wouldn’t be a team filled with superstars, professionals and high achievers. To be on Paul’s team you had to believe in unity, contributing your individual gifts while practicing patience, gentleness and humility.
You know what its like to be on a team with slackers. That is when some of your teammates don’t give 100% effort. They just go through the motions and fail to do their share of the workload.
Paul is saying that for the Church to be successful it can’t have any slackers either. He coaches them with words of encouragement and reminds them of the traits necessary to build the body of Christ. He begins and concludes this section by reminding his listeners to be eager with love. Love is the glue that makes teamwork a reality. As for teamwork in the church, it is the slackers who fail to love.
The kind of love Paul advocated was one that makes every effort to maintain unity and peace. He goes on to say, later in the chapter, we are to be "kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven us."
Two brothers worked together on the family farm. One was married and had a large family. The other was single. At the day's end, the brothers shared everything equally, produce and profit.
Then one day the single brother said to himself, "It's not right that we should share equally the produce and the profit. I'm alone, and my needs are simple." So each night he took a sack of grain from his bin and crept across the field between their houses, dumping it into his brother's bin.
Meanwhile, the married brother said to himself, "It's not right that we should share the produce and the profit equally. After all, I'm married, and I have my wife and children to look after me in years to come. My brother has no one, and no one to take care of his future." So each night he took a sack of grain and dumped it into his single brother's bin.
Both men were puzzled for years because their supply of grain never dwindled. Then one dark night the two brothers bumped into each other. Slowly it dawned on them what was happening. They dropped their sacks and embraced one another. From, A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Neither brother was a slacker in this story. Both brothers demonstrated unconditional love for the other, expecting nothing in return. The result was peace and unity, exactly the kind Paul advocated to his Church.
Since I had no direct responsibilities in our Vacation Bible School I had the opportunity to be an observer. What I observed was a lot of love taking place in a variety of forms. There were small children being nurtured by young mothers. The children were singing at the top of their lungs while being inspired by an adult member of the choir. Leaders were teaching the basics of the faith. The adults present were modeling positive role models as they related to the children on their level. And, some of our youth were involved too, providing creative theatrical performances.
What impressed me the most was the way in which everyone worked together. This was a good example of the "dream team" Paul had in mind for the Church at Ephesus. It is people working together for the common good, while "equipping the saints" for the future. It is people, eager to love, each doing what they can to enhance the community of faith.
Dr. Keith Wagner
“Bread from Heaven” – Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 – August 6, 2006
When I was in the Navy I had everything I needed. As an officer I received a good salary. I was provided with total health care and medical care for my family. I always had a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in. The food was good too, and while at sea you could eat as much as you liked. Sometimes I regret leaving the military life since everything was provided. You didn’t have to worry about doctor bills and you had job security.
On the other hand I looked forward to being discharged. I couldn’t wait to be free from all the rules and regulations, or as some would say, all the “Mickey Mouse.” You had to put up with a lot of nonsense. It was a “hurry up and wait” atmosphere. You had duty which kept you aboard ship on weekends. The Navy literally “owned” you, since they could send you anywhere at anytime.
When I entered the civilian world times were difficult. The job market was tight and the economy was in a recession. There were times when I longed for the “good ole days” in the Navy when I had everything. Now, life was risky and I lamented over the days when I felt secure.
This is exactly what happened to the Israelites. Here we find them in the wilderness without food to eat. They were hungry and so they complained to Moses. They recalled the “good ole days” when they had plenty of food and security in Egypt. They were afraid and their journey was hard, dangerous and long. They had forgotten however, that while in Egypt they were slaves. They lived under the oppressive Egyptians who kept them in bondage. Now they were free, but their freedom had a price.
I can appreciate how the Israelites felt. They were uncomfortable and feeling insecure. The harsh times were overwhelming. There are many today who would say that these are difficult times. Escalating costs of housing, gas, and health care are making people anxious. Where will it all end? How can we possibly survive? To make things worse there is a war going on in the Mid East which doesn’t appear to have an end in sight. There is talk about an Asian Flu virus that may kill millions of people.
I received a phone call from our youngest daughter this past week. She wanted me to know that her stove had to be replaced. Her family is getting ready to go on vacation and now they are faced with a setback. “Woe is me,” my daughter was saying.
Does this sound familiar? Here at St. Paul’s Church we are faced with a substantial building repair. The chairperson of our trustees just died and many families in the church are feeling the pains of living in a complex and challenging world. How will we survive?
Then there are those in our midst who are saying, “Remember the good ole days” when life was far less expensive. All we had to do to raise money was host a chicken dinner. Life was simpler. The church was the center of family and community life. Like the Israelites, we complain too. We wonder why God doesn’t intervene and make everything all better.
The good news is that God does intervene. God said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven.” They were promised meat to eat in the evening and bread to eat in the morning.” God delivered quails in the evening and in the morning God gave them “manna.” The manna that God provided was something they Israelites had never seen before. “It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste was like wafers made with honey.” God told them to gather what they needed for that day. It was a new form of food and it lasted for forty years.
One time a man named Max left New York City and he was traveling for several hours in the rain. He got hungry and stopped at a roadside diner. He sat at the counter, next to an elderly man with drooping shoulders, wearing tattered clothing. “Pretty nasty weather out there, isn’t it?” Max said. But the old man appeared despondent to engage in a conversation. Max finished his meal and just before he left he asked the waitress, “How much for a baked apple?” “Two-fifty,” she said. Max gave her three dollars and told her to give the baked apple to the old man. He told her to tell him it was on the house.
Max left the diner and as he traveled he pondered over the fact that he had given the man a baked apple. “Why didn’t I buy him a cup of coffee?” he thought to himself. Perhaps the baked apple would help to bring the man out of his stupor and lift his spirits. The night wore on. Max kept on driving but struggled to stay awake. He fell asleep at the wheel, whereby a huge Mack truck hit him on the side and pushed him off the edge of the road. Max’s car skidded into a ditch. He sat there for a few moments in shock, then slipped into a state of unconsciousness. The trucker didn’t see him and no once noticed his car sitting in the ditch because of the rain.
Finally, after some time, a young man driving by spotted Max’s car. He stopped and sized up the situation. They were in a remote area and it would take a long time for help to come. The young man decided to take Max to his home. He would attend to him then call for help. After arriving at the stranger’s house, Max opened his eyes and he saw an unfamiliar face. “That was some accident you had,” the stranger said. It was hard to get you out of your wrecked car. You were mighty close to the end.” Then he told Max to sit up and said, “Here, my wife made something for you.” Max looked at the plate in front of him and sitting on the glass dish was a fresh baked-apple. (from Small Miracles, Halberstam and Leventhal, Adams Media Corporation, Holbrook, MA, 1997)
Just as Max and the Israelites received what they needed, the Lord will provide for us as well. A few months after I was discharged from the Navy I applied for a job as a purchasing agent for a local hospital. The hospital administrator was an retired Marine. He believed that a former Naval supply officer would be perfect for the position at the hospital. It wasn’t great pay and I had to commute 45 miles, one way. But it paid full benefits and I was able to provide for my young family.
Many of you have burdens and find yourself in the wilderness. You are anxious about the times and so you also complain to God. Perhaps the burden of paying for some piece of equipment that has broken down or making a repair for a building like this one has overwhelmed you. Like the Israelites, we too have forgotten that the Lord always provides.
Early in my ministry I served a church which had problems with a roof that was leaking. The entire Sunday school wing of the church had a flat roof and the building really didn’t look like a church. I sat at a meeting with the church trustees who were wondering what to do. They had few reserves and the project of remodeling the building seemed impossible. For some reason I was inspired and took a piece of paper and drew a new gable roof for the church. They liked my vision. We went to work, had a fund raiser, obtained a matching grant from the denomination and in 120 days we had completely remodeled the building and roof.
“The Lord will provide!” Help may come in ways that are foreign to us, but God will provide for all our needs. God is always watching over us and God wants us to trust in God’s infinite supply of resources. We want to be free, liberated from those people and things that enslave us, but freedom is not void of uncertainty and problems. Our journey in the wilderness is the place between bondage and hope. That place is called life.
Dr. Keith Wagner | |