A Fresh Perspective

This story immediately evokes questions. When the crowd that had been following Jesus wakes up the next morning and discovers that Jesus is not around, they take off looking for him. I have to ask myself and I hope you will ask yourself if you are part of that crowd. Every spiritual journey begins with a quest, a search. Every pilgrim that starts a spiritual path is looking for something. One may begin a spiritual pilgrimage as the result of an inner restlessness, or angst, or emptiness. Or it may arise out of a desire to experience more or be more. The quest may be prompted by a desire to be a better person or part of something larger than myself. We can begin this journey at any point or stage in our lives. I was already a Christian and serving as a pastor when I began what I now call my spiritual journey. My journey led me to discover Jesus again as if for the first time. Let me ask you: Are you looking for God? If you are, why? What is it that you want God to do? ...

A large crowd has been following Jesus and apparently they haven’t eaten in some time. When Jesus raises the question about feeding this great multitude Philip seems overwhelmed by the need – and the need is great: “Six months wages could not buy enough food.” But then Andrew comes at it from a different point of view. He points out that while they don’t have much, they do have a little: “There is a boy here who has five barely loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” One could read Andrew’s question the way we read Philip’s answer. Or one could read Andrew’s question in a more positive, hopeful vein as I do: Well, the need is great but we do have something.  And Jesus does indeed do something doesn’t he? He turns the little into much. Out of their scarcity comes an abundance, so much abundance that there are 12 baskets of leftovers. John makes it clear that this is a sign of the kingdom of God, a sign of God’s will and way in the world. John s...