Guest Meditations:
(By) positioning (the story of) the walking on water and the miraculous landing narrative (John 6:16-21) between the feeding of the multitude (John 6:1-15) and the discourse on the bread of life (John 6: 22-71), John wants his readers to know that Christ is indeed one who stands as Lord over the forces of chaos and that even the natural world responds to his presence. Upon reflection one can see another theme implicitly arising out of these stories of wondrous acts.
The stories entice the mind back to another figure and another time, the feeding of the children of Israel in the desert under the leadership of Moses. It is for that reason that John dates the feeding near the time of the Passover (John 6:4).
Certainly the “murmurings” of the crowd later on in the discourse (John 6:41,60) recall the murmurings of the people of Israel against Moses as they wandered in the desert (Exodus 16). Could the stilling of the waters and the miraculous landing be intended to arouse memories of that wondrous escape from Egypt by the people of Israel?
The chaotic waters came under the control of Moses, and the people miraculously crossed over to the other shore of the Sea of Reeds. The subtle tones of the Exodus experience combine here with the awe inspired by the two-in-one sign. With those tones John provides the reader with the background upon which he or she can now paint a provocative foreground—Jesus in his flesh-and-blood reality is the bread of life, the manna from heaven.
Robert Kysar
John’s Story of Jesus
Guest Meditations:
(By) positioning (the story of) the walking on water and the miraculous landing narrative (John 6:16-21) between the feeding of the multitude (John 6:1-15) and the discourse on the bread of life (John 6: 22-71), John wants his readers to know that Christ is indeed one who stands as Lord over the forces of chaos and that even the natural world responds to his presence. Upon reflection one can see another theme implicitly arising out of these stories of wondrous acts.
The stories entice the mind back to another figure and another time, the feeding of the children of Israel in the desert under the leadership of Moses. It is for that reason that John dates the feeding near the time of the Passover (John 6:4).
Certainly the “murmurings” of the crowd later on in the discourse (John 6:41,60) recall the murmurings of the people of Israel against Moses as they wandered in the desert (Exodus 16). Could the stilling of the waters and the miraculous landing be intended to arouse memories of that wondrous escape from Egypt by the people of Israel?
The chaotic waters came under the control of Moses, and the people miraculously crossed over to the other shore of the Sea of Reeds. The subtle tones of the Exodus experience combine here with the awe inspired by the two-in-one sign. With those tones John provides the reader with the background upon which he or she can now paint a provocative foreground—Jesus in his flesh-and-blood reality is the bread of life, the manna from heaven.
Robert Kysar
John’s Story of Jesus
Introduction:
Today is the first of five Sundays with gospel readings from John 6, the first four of which focus on Jesus as bread of life. Today Jesus feeds thousands of people with five loaves and two fish. What we have, what we bring to Jesus’ table seems like it is not nearly enough to meet all the needs we see around us. But it is not the adequacy of our supplies or our skills that finally makes the difference: it is the power of Jesus working in the littlest and least to transform this world into the world God desires, a world where all the hungry are satisfied.
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany
Friends of Jesus, Mary and Martha are remembered for the hospitality of their home that they offered him—Martha focused on serving their guest, and Mary on listening to him. Their brother Lazarus was raised from the dead as a sign of the greater resurrection to come.
Olaf, King of Norway, martyr, died 1030
Considered the patron saint of Norway, Olaf went from a life of piracy to becoming Christian and declaring himself king of Norway. He revised the laws and tried to administer them fairly. Driven from Norway in a rebellion, he was killed in battle trying to regain his kingdom.
2 Kings 4:42-44
Today’s reading is part of a larger section of 2 Kings that describes the miracles of Elisha, the successor to Elijah. Here the prophet gives food to a hungry crowd. Though there is not enough food to go around, Elisha trusts God, who provides enough and even more to satisfy the need.
Ephesians 2:11-22
The author of this letter is reminding his audience that originally they were not part of God’s chosen people. Through Jesus’ death, however, they are included in God’s household of faith, whose cornerstone is Jesus Christ.
John 6:1-21
In John’s gospel, the miracles of Jesus are called “signs,” because they reveal the true character of God. As such, they remain within the mystery of God and cannot be brought under human control.
تعليقات