A few weeks ago I was with some friends in Nashville. We hadn’t seen each other since early November, so we were catching up–sharing how things had gone for us over Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.
One friend showed a gift she had received. It was a piece of jewelry. She said the piece had been given to her by a friend at church. The jewelry was tiny. It probably didn’t cost much. But as my friend talked about the small gift, tears welled up and fell from her eyes. Apparently that tiny gift meant a lot.
She explained that it had been a hard Christmas. There were some discouraging things happening with her health. There was tension in her family. And some of her work at church wasn’t going well. But in the midst of that discouragement this gift arrived. And that expression of love meant so much to her, so much more than the actual cost or quality of the gift. That little gift meant a lot.
I was struck by the fact that sometimes there’s more going on when we give to someone than we realize. We’re not just giving a small gift. We’re communicating large amounts of love. Sometimes a gift is so much more than a gift.
We see that in this morning’s text. For those with any background in the Christian faith, it’s a familiar story. It’s a story about a bunch of people with nothing to eat and Jesus gives them something to eat. It’s a story about lunch. But sometimes a lunch is so much more than a lunch. It turns out that the gift of food is much more than just food:
1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then 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. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. (John 6:1-15 ESV)
John includes four details to help us see that in giving a lunch Jesus is actually giving much more.
- 1. First, John mentions that this all takes place on the shores of the “Sea of Tiberias” (v. 1). This is actually a lake. The common name for the lake was the “Sea of Galilee.” But its formal name was “Sea of Tiberias.” That has significance for two reasons.
- a. First, “Tiberias” was the Roman Emperor during the public ministry of Jesus. This lake was named in honor of him. Thus, this event unfolds on the shores of a lake named for the king of the greatest kingdom on earth, the kingdom that now has Israel and the Jews under its thumb.
- b. Second, “Tiberias” was also the name of a city founded by Herod Antipas, the ruler of this region. Herod founded Tiberias as his capital city in order to honor Emperor Tiberias. Tiberias was on the shore of this lake. Thus, this event unfolds in the shadow of a city and a lake honoring the king of one of the most violent, corrupt and godless kingdoms on earth–the Roman Empire
- 2. Second, John mentions that this all takes place during Passover (v. 4). Do you remember what Passover was about? Passover took place when the Jews were enslaved by another violent, corrupt and godless kingdom–Egypt. Thus, this event takes place during a holiday that reminded the Jewish people of the time they were ruled over by a massive kingdom. That kingdom of Egypt surely must have reminded them of the kingdom now ruling over them–Rome.
- 3. Third, Jesus asks Philip “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” There’s a practical reason for asking Philip this question. He was from this region and would have firsthand knowledge about where food might actually be purchased. But there’s a larger reason for the question. Jesus is echoing a question asked by Moses: “Where am I to get meat to give to all this people?” (Num. 11:13 ESV). Moses asks this question as he’s leading the people away from Egypt after the first Passover and through the wilderness. The question asked by Jesus echoes Moses’ question and is surely intended to remind us of this scene in Israel’s history. That is, this scene and this event feels a lot like the wandering in the wilderness, the flight from a dangerous kingdom through a dangerous land.
- 4. Fourth, the people, clearly seeing the tie between what just happened with the lunch with Jesus and what happened in the wilderness with Moses, proclaim Jesus to be the Prophet whom Moses promised. Back there in the wilderness, Moses made this prediction which is what the people just fed by Jesus now reference: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen…” (Deut. 18:15 ESV). The people believe Jesus is the fulfilment of that promise.
In other words, this lunch is a lot more than just a lunch! What’s happening here is a clash of kingdoms. The challenge faced by these 5,000 plus people, by Jesus and by his disciples is far more than just the challenge of a meal. John writes this story in a way that highlights a far greater challenge confronting these people–the challenge of living in a world ruled by Rome; the challenge of living in a world filled with dangerous powers far greater than they; the challenge of living in a world filled with institutions, agencies, and people in power who are unjust, corrupt and looking out only for themselves; the challenge of existing in a world where it seems that evil has the day, every day.
John wants us to see this story in the context of a clash of kingdoms. This story is placed in the context of people who not only don’t know where their next meal is coming from; they don’t know what other evil might leap around the corner because of Rome. They are ruled over by an uncaring and historically violent empire.
And ultimately that’s why they do what they do at the end of the story. They aren’t hungry just for food. They are hungry for a king. That’s the real challenge confronting these people. They are dying for a king. A ruler who can usher in justice and peace and an end to the inequalities and violence brought by Rome. That’s what this story is ultimately about.
Meager Resources
With that in mind, the rest of the story unfolds in a surprising way. One of the disciples shows some initiative and starts taking inventory of resources. And he manages to find a boy who has five barley loaves and two fish. That’s their inventory. And one thing we can say in praise of that boy and of Andrew who found him: he brought those resources to the table.
They could hardly be smaller. John says they were “barley loaves.” Barley was cheaper and more available than wheat. That indicates this was a poor person’s meal. They couldn’t afford wheat loaves; just barley loaves. And the two fish are probably small dried fish as was common among the Galileans. There could hardly be more miniscule resources brought to the table.
And that’s one of the points John wants to make: the challenges we confront are often greater than the resources we carry. In a way, John shows this crowd of people facing the largest and most corrupt kingdom on earth–Rome. And all they have for the fight are five barley loaves and two dried fish. The challenges they confront–Rome–are far greater than the resources they carry–five barley loaves and two dried fish.
Very little has changed.
For years Highlander Mendy Breeden has been ministering at LaRose Elementary in downtown Memphis. It’s slow and hard work because of the enormous challenges faced by the children who attend that school and the challenges faced by the adults who strive to help. We were reminded of those challenges recently. Patrick was one of the fathers at LaRose whom Mendy had known for years. He was one of what the school called “Watch Dog Dads”–meaning he was very involved at school. He was always very friendly and helpful when Mendy hosted a program she called “Wonderful Wednesdays.” But then, out of the blue, he was shot and killed during the first week of January. It was a reminder of just how great the challenge is at LaRose and here in Memphis. And it seems far greater than any resources we carry. It doesn’t seem like we have enough for that fight. The challenges we confront are often greater than the resources we carry.
This principle is true in so many areas of life. The challenges we confront in our families, at our schools, or on the job are often greater than the resources we carry. My friend Rob shares that 3 years ago he was asked to join his church’s leadership team. There were three others on that team. First, there was the founding pastor. He could walk into a room and every head would turn. Second, there was the Lead Pastor. He was a powerful visionary and thousands would follow him up any hill. Third, there was the Teaching Pastor, a former president of Moody and one of best theologians in the country. Rob said “I went to those meetings, I sat at their table and I felt like I was sitting in a kiddie chair.”
So often, it feels like we have nothing to bring to the table. Whether it’s the table of being a parent, the table of being a friend, the table at work, the table at school, or the table of life. So often the challenges we confront exceed the resources we carry. We feel like we’re sitting in a kiddie chair and all we have to offer our families or our friends or our churches or our cities are five barley loaves and two dried fish.
Just this morning, a Highland member saw the title of this sermon and told me that his supervisor had emailed everyone last week and asked them to reply with their answer to this question: “What do you bring to the table in this organization?” He said the question was being asked because the supervisor felt like the employees simply weren’t bringing enough to the table.
Mighty Savior
But here’s the remarkable thing about this story: If we’ll bring even just a little to the table, Jesus can do a lot. If we’ll just bring whatever we can to the table, Jesus can do something astonishing with it. Our resources may seem meager. The challenges around us may seem great. But Jesus is able to do remarkable things with whatever we bring to the table.
Listen again to what happens:
11 Jesus then 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. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. (Jn. 6:11-13 ESV)
Notice the details:
- They ate “as much as they wanted.”
- They ate “their fill.”
- And when dinner was over, there “twelve baskets” of leftovers. That’s a very important detail. That’s John’s way of helping us see that Jesus did so much more here than just provide lunch. Jesus did something amazing with the little that was brought to the table. The number 12 is another nod back to the Passover story and the 12 tribes of Israel that God led to victory over the Egyptian kingdom. At that first Passover, God’s kingdom came in a powerful way. And that’s what’s happening here. It’s not just lunch being provided. It’s God’s kingdom prevailing. It’s twelve tribes being lifted up. It’s God on the march against Rome. Jesus did all of that with just five barley loaves and two dried fish.
And this is what Jesus would continue to do. Jesus was the master of taking whatever people brought to the table and using it to bring the kingdom of God.
The list included in this morning’s Link testifies to this. Here at Highland, we’re trying to do something big. Using the words of Jn. 1 and Jn. 20, we’re trying to help people thrive. What we’re doing, in a thousand different ways every day at Highland, is attempting to help people experience zoe, real life, abundant life, true life.
And the challenges confronting us in that goal are enormous. Eric touched on those challenges a few weeks ago. He noted that there was a conference called the Epic Fail conference. So many churches seem to fail so often in their work that there’s a conference where they come together to commiserate. Those challenges seem far greater than any of the resources we carry. In the face of those challenges, it seems, sometimes, all we have to offer are barley loaves and dried fish. But here’s the miracle–if we bring the little we have to the table, Jesus is able to do a lot.
And that’s what all of the people on this list have been doing on a regular basis. Week after week, they show up. They bring what they have to the table. And Jesus is able to do so much with it. Jesus is able to use it to bring life, real life, to others.
- For the last 8 years Leslie Davidson has been at the heart of our Hospitality ministry. Not only is she often the very first friendly face a visitor sees as they enter our building on Sunday mornings, but she finds time every Saturday to come to the building and set up our coffee station. The things she does behind the scenes make a difference in helping our visitors (and members) feel welcome each Sunday morning.
- It’s thanks to Martha Simpson’s passion for sharing the Gospel that our World Bible School ministry taught approximately 900 students last year worldwide. Because of her quiet and yet persistent spirit and her strong leadership, seeds have been planted all around the world and many have become Christians.
- Highland Children’s Ministry is so blessed by Jeff and Beth Frizzell . Their love and service to Highland children is beyond measure. Creating curriculum … Teaching on both Sunday and Wednesday… Creating puppet shows… There is no end to what they do to serve our kids.
- David Ijams has been teaching 4th grade at Highland for years. When Highland kids are asked about their favorite memories, they often mention their time in class with David ! He takes each fourth grader through the entire Bible in the 52 weeks in his class.
- Miss Ann Srnka shops for food and paper goods for Highland’s youth group every week, then shows up in the Youth Mission two hours early every Sunday and Wednesday to get things ready for HYG and the volunteers. She does it to show our teens they are loved and cared for.
- James and Anne Nowlin have taught our current high school seniors for the past four years. They have invested prayers, energy, time, and money to show them Jesus. Our seniors know James and Anne have their back no matter what.
- Brett Gooch has been teaching, counseling, encouraging, and
influencing teens for over 20 years. He makes every teen feel like they are his favorite. - For nearly 5 years, David Flatt, Kyle Fagala and Grant Dasher have led a thriving young adult ministry in Bible study, service, and fellowship.
- For over 10 years, Mike Edmonds has led a Reach Group where members have formed deep and lasting spiritual friendships.
- Beverly Ralston has taught and cared for the women in the Women of Grace class for years, carrying on the servant-hearted tradition begun by Sherrill Lynn and Ann King.
- Cindi Lemmons has served in our Nursery for years. She creates a sense of security for new parents bringing their babies to the nursery for the first time.
Highland is filled with so many who bring whatever they have to the table. And Jesus does so much with what they bring. And this morning we just want to stop for a moment, and thank every person on that list. We want to say “Thank you” for the way you show up and bring what you have to the table. Because Jesus is using your little for a lot.
Further, I encourage all of you to write a note of appreciation to some of those on that list this week. Let them know how much you appreciate the way they bring what they have and the way Jesus uses what they bring to make a real difference in the lives of others. Because they’re doing so much more than just serving. They are bringing the kingdom of God.
Finally, I want to leave you with this call: This week, at every chance, bring the little you have to the table, trusting that with it Jesus can do a lot. Do this is every facet of your life. Bring what you have to the table at school. Bring what you have to the table in your friendships. Bring what you can to your role as a coach or a parent. Bring what you can to your role as a manager or an administrator. Bring all you can to the table in your role as a servant of God.
Friends, we are here to do something big. We’re here to help people thrive in Jesus Christ. And we face enormous challenges to that – challenges that seem to dwarf our resources. But the truth is that every time we show up, every time we bring what we have, whatever it is, to every table, whatever that table is, Jesus can do a lot with it. So this week, bring it. Bring all you can so Jesus can do all he can so the people around you can experience all the life they can.
