Lectionary for Easter 17 B
Opening sentence. Be glad and rejoice in the Lord; shout for joy, all who are true of heart. Psalm 32:11
Collect. Let us pray (for the faith to recognise God’s presence in our world): God our Father, open our eyes to see your hand at work in the splendour of creation and in the beauty of human life. Touched by your hand our world is holy. Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us, to share your blessings with our brothers and sisters, and to experience the joy of life in your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading. Ephesians 3:14-21.Paul links his prayer with the reason for his imprisonment. He is under house arrest for his preaching and teaching about Jesus. He has had to defend his prison sentence for “false apostles” have declared that if Paul were really a true apostle then bad things would not happen to him. In a human way it is easy to think that God will protect us from all the hardships of life but that is not the case. It is equally true that disappointments and hard times can make us feel disappointed with God. Our faith calls us to trust God and his faithfulness as we live out our lives in a world filled with both joys and sorrows. As Paul has stated before, it is when we are weak, when we only have God to rely on in the face of hardships and attacks that we are truly strong. Christians everywhere lived in a very turbulent era and that is why Paul revealed that despite all his hardships the mercy of God keeps him strong. He is strong enough to remind his readers that in his mercy God has gathered the Gentiles as well as the Jews into his family through Jesus Christ. It is then that Paul offers this great family prayer.
Paul falls to his knees. This is not simply a pious act but is the traditional way of prayer that revealed his humility before God. Paul is not simply praying with his mind his whole being is bowing down in worship.
The prayer is Trinitarian in its approach to God. The Father is the one who is supreme and over all. As Father it is he who has drawn people into families where they can be loved and cared for. Under God they are now part of his family and it follows that his love and care will sustain them. Paul prays that through the power of the Spirit they will be given an inner strength that will equip them to face life as Christians in all circumstances. Furthermore he prays that their confidence in Christ will grow as they remember Christ’s love for them. Paul does not pray for a static life as a Christian but prays for a life that grows and grows as each believer learns more and more about the true nature of all that Jesus Christ has achieved on their behalf. To go on being filled from the fullness of God is an exciting concept that sweeps away the fears that come when facing hardships.
Then Paul ends with a glorious benediction and it is not hard to picture him lifting up his hands as he contemplates a future for every joyfully believing Christian. As we look back at what he has prayed it is amazing to think that any human being could begin to comprehend how wonderful God’s love is for each one of his children. God’s power is working in each believer and through that power God will accomplish through us much more than we can even imagine. It is no wonder that Paul ends with the sentence, “to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen”.
It brings an understanding that Paul’s prayer is a prayer for every future generation until Christ comes in victory.
Prayer. Holy God we thank you for the privilege that comes to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ for through him we are eternally linked to you in a holy family. We thank you for all the blessings that come through your grace to us. Lord we thank you that you love us in ways far beyond our understanding. You hold us when we are weak and guide us as we attempt to accomplish your will. You are always with us in the dark times and rejoice with us as we celebrate. Help us Lord to release ourselves into your care more fully today, recognising that we can be ourselves before you, for you both know us and love us for we are created in your image. We thank you for continuing to work with us as each day we are changed more and more into the likeness of Jesus Christ. We ask this through his name alone. Amen
Reading. John 6:1-21. John in his gospel never speaks of miracles but always of signs. The acts of healing and exorcism or as in our reading today of a supernatural feeding are signs that point to who Jesus is and what he is about. In John’s gospel Jesus is still immensely popular with the crowd but soon the tide of popularity will turn and the Pharisees will become increasingly jealous. For now the people follow him gladly because of the excitement Jesus generates.
As we read this account of the feeding of the five thousand we need to remember that this incident in the ministry of Jesus is recorded in each of the gospels. For the Gospel writers in the early church it is held to be of great importance for it highlights Jesus’ Lordship over the common events of life.
John’s record demonstrates the great compassion Jesus had for the ordinary people as their need for food is noticed. The earliest converts to Christianity were not the powerful or the privileged but were the ordinary people who received warm acceptance from Jesus. (1 Corinth 1:26)
The message is clear, Jesus has the power to change life for the better. However in this instant his compassion does not lead him to instant action, rather he looks to his disciples to show the lead and care for the crowd. It is a reminder that soon they will be leading the church for Jesus will no longer be physically with them.
Philip thinks it is beyond them while Andrew is ready to share what resources he has to hand but even he expresses gave doubts. Jesus uses the seemingly insufficient food that the disciples have and by blessing it provides enough to satisfy the hungry crowd. Though Jesus has provided an abundance still nothing is to be wasted.
The twelve baskets which are gathered after the crowd has been fed are considered by some commentators as provision for the disciples themselves. They were not eating for they would have been busily helping to distribute the food Jesus had blessed.
John describes the crowd as thinking that Jesus is the prophet destined to bring God’s provision for the people. As they would have known the examples from the Jewish scriptures perhaps the crowd remembered the jar of oil that did not fail to provide sustenance to the widow during the ministry life of Elisha. (2Kings 4:2). Jesus knew that their intention was to make him their leader because of the feeding. He avoided their demands and escaped for he had a greater task to accomplish. He was not a leader by popular demand; as always his mission was working and ministering in obedience to God.
John interrupts his recollection at this point and then describes the disciples on their own waiting for Jesus to join them. They set out across the sea to their home in Capernaum leaving Jesus behind. As night falls the disciples are rowing against the wind in a very rough sea. Discipleship can be very hard work. When they see Jesus walking towards the boat they are terrified and unable to comprehend what is happening. Jesus speaks through their fears and assures them that he is in complete control. The moment the disciples invite Jesus into the boat they find that they have arrived safe;y at their destination.
John’s recollection reminds the church that Jesus is Lord and can always provide and protect. At the same time Jesus has only one aim and that is to fulfil the will of God.
John also reminds the church that Jesus calls his disciples to work and to trust in him in every situation. It is through Jesus’ presence that ministry can be accomplished. In all circumstances, Jesus is Lord.
Prayer. Almighty God, you have called us to be your family on earth and have given us good gifts with which to serve you. Grant us grace to use our gifts wisely and without favour, so that your blessing may touch all whom we serve. By your power may our work and witness be fruitful and faithful in presenting not our own grand schemes but only your good and perfect will. Our Lord Jesus came among us not to be served but to serve, and by your gracious works we have all benefited. Grant that we being enabled to serve may do so with joy, knowing that we follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ the Saviour. Help us to look not to our own needs but to the needs of others, not to our own skills but to your creative gifts, so that what we are able to impart in your service may be a true witness to your love and grace. This we ask through Jesus our Lord. Amen
Collect. God our maker, you formed the world and all that is in it, and you desire all people to share its plenty; help us to look for the possibilities you bring, that we may be fed by your justice, for the sake of Christ. Amen.
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