Lectionary for Sunday 18
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O saviour of those who seek refuge. Psalm 17:6-7
Collect. Let us pray (to find our fulfilment in God): Grant, Lord, that we may see in you the fulfilment of our need; and may turn from all false satisfactions to feed on that true and living bread which you have given us in your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Reading. Genesis 32:22-31. Esau was first born but Jacob grasped his heel which was why in part he was named Jacob. He was always a schemer and gained the birthright blessing with the aid of his mother. The boys had always struggled together but after the loss of his father’s blessing Esau’s hatred for Jacob took on a new intensity and he swore to murder him. It was because of this real threat that Rebecca urged Jacob to leave the country and find a bride with his uncle Laban.
Now many years have passed and in our passage for today Jacob is heading home but first he must face Esau his estranged brother. Having already sent on ahead a gift of sheep and cattle Jacob has the travelling party cross the Jabbok while he himself remains alone, perhaps to consider his position, or maybe to seek the presence and protection of God. The text says that Jacob meets with a “man” but the setting reminds us that here is both a physical and a spiritual struggle. Jacob is wrestling with more than just his conscience. Some have speculated that it was an angel of God, some have even thought this was Esau’s guardian angel come to prevent Jacob from entering Esau’s land. Whoever this one is he is closely identified with God for Jacob names the place Peniel, “I have seen God face to face”. The result of the struggle is that though undefeated, Jacob limps from his wounds for the rest of his life. In the struggle Jacob is blessed and his change of name signals also a change of attitude. After the struggle he is a more humble man for he has had to face up to his weaknesses as well as accepting his strengths. In Hebrew Israel is really a statement roughly translated as “he turns the head (of) God”. In the nation’s history Israel becomes a key figure and so is considered the Patriarch for the whole nation.
While this is a fascinating incident it also reminds us of a constant biblical principle in that the wrongs we do to others we also do to God. As David confessed after his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, “Against you, you alone, have I sinned.” (Psalm 51:4) Like David, Jacob had been richly blessed by God yet he had schemed to gain an even greater advantage. His scheming had resulted in others facing great disappointments and so now he has to face not only his brother but also he has to face a reckoning with God.
Prayer. Holy Lord, Like Jacob we know that we often fail in our trust of you and choose to live our lives trusting in our own strength. We thank you for the many blessings that you have showered upon us, for we have been guided by your hand to the true knowledge of Jesus and the salvation that He brings. Only in Him is life and light. Help us merciful Lord to trust only in you, and in all our activities live as faithful followers of Jesus; In whose Name we pray. Amen
Reading. Matthew 14:13-21. The feeding of the five thousand is recorded in all four of the gospels. This inclusion reminds us that it is an important memory from the ministry life of Jesus. Matthew places it immediately after the beheading of John the Baptist. In the gospel of John we read that Jesus left the region and so it is likely that Matthew’s report that Jesus withdrew by boat is suggesting that he moved his teaching activities away from Herod’s jurisdiction for John’s death could easily have spelt danger for Jesus himself. The significance of there being five thousand is a reminder that Jesus it at the height of his popularity for this is a vast crowd. Despite the danger Jesus moves to a more suitable place and continues to teach and heal. It is following a day of teaching and ministry that the feeding of the people takes place. No doubt the disciples are ready for a rest so their idea of dispersing the crowd is quite reasonable but Jesus has a different plan. Not only has Jesus a great compassion for those who have been listening to him but he also proposes to include the disciples in the ministry to the crowd. The feeding of the crowd has brought out many suggestions of how this could have taken place. The most common one is that a simple act of sharing by the disciples encourages others to also share what they had. As all the gospel writers recall this incident it does strongly suggest that here in this incident we have much more than trusting in the goodness of human nature! This is a miraculous feeding stemming from the compassion of Jesus and the bounty of God.
Yet it does contain a few simple steps. First we notice the concern of Jesus to sustain his listeners not only with spiritual food but also food for the body. While a person cannot live “by bread alone” and must have the word of God, still food is also essential for bodily survival. Jesus has consideration for the whole of a person and so is prepared to meet the needs of the whole person.
We notice that Jesus looks to God to be the one who provides. It is by God’s blessing that the vast crowd of people are fed. Furthermore that text reminds us that all present are provided for, women and children as well as the men, no one is missed.
Jesus also asks the disciples to share what they already have even though the text reminds us that they realise their supply of food will not be sufficient. It is clear that what they have is to be put at the disposal of Jesus. “Bring them here to me!” It is the disciples who move among the crowd and distribute the food that has been blessed and the blessed food feeds them all. The inclusion of the disciples is an integral part of the feeding.
After all are filled the disciples once again gather up what is left over so that nothing that has been blessed goes to waste. The whole feeding is done very orderly under the direction and authority of Jesus.
This recollection from the ministry of Jesus has been so significant that each writer chose to place it in their record. There is a mystery here that confronts our rational minds. Woven through this account is the love and care of Jesus for ordinary people. Here Jesus is able to meet their needs, sustaining both soul and body. Furthermore there is the remembrance that the disciples under the blessing of God used what they had and many were blessed.
Prayer. Holy Lord, you are the great provider and in your providential care we are all blessed. Help us more and more to trust you with what we have so that we like the disciples could share what we have in your name. In a world of need help us to be discerning, that our gifts and our giving may be according to your desires. Above all things may we be true to our discipleship faithfully following Jesus Christ in all our daily activities. We ask in his name. Amen.
Collect. Jesus, you poured yourself out in compassion for the crowd, and call your disciples to give; may we offer what we have to you with thanksgiving, that those who hunger in body and in spirit may be fed in your name. Amen.
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