As we come to the end of our Miracles Series, we also reach the final chapter and epilogue of our companion book, Just Jones. Our next series, Life, begins the last Sunday in October.
In this week’s reading, Ollie’s guilt in pulling off his big prank is about to be revealed. Blair Monroe Houston called a press conference, presumably after realizing that tires now covered the flag pole where the state flag of Texas would otherwise be raised. Crowds assembled despite the sweltering heat, and the media was on hand for the big reveal.
The image Ollie sent to Ms. Houston of himself with a stack of tires came from a burner phone. She knew he was guilty, but the picture alone was insufficient evidence.
As we come to the end of our companion book, we also learn the story of how the peace table came to be. The story is both a reminder of the rich heritage of people who initially inhabited the land and the brutality that came with the initial immigrants from Europe.
Our nation’s history began with taking land from existing inhabitants. God’s beloved with very similar needs, struggles, dreams, and aspirations. The story offers a stark contrast to the lesson Ollie learned from Jones. “Love is more powerful than hate.”
It’s also a stark contrast to the stories taking place in areas ravaged by our two most recent hurricanes. There is also a juxtaposition to be made, however, between the reckless lies and conspiracy theories impeding rescue and recovery efforts versus the heroism of ordinary citizens trying to participate in an unfolding miracle. Fortunately, love is more powerful than hate.
All four gospel writers tell at least one story about Jesus providing an abundance of food to feed a hungry crowd when there wasn’t enough available to feed themselves. It’s the flavor of a story passed down through generations about family cooks able to feed the neighborhood despite meager resources. The stories tell about the legendary generosity, skills, and loving spirit of beloved ancestors.
The gospel stories, likewise, tell us a lot about the nature of God. In His response to human needs, God illustrates divine love. While, at the same time, offering an economics lesson.
As with other stories found in scripture, we’re invited to join as one of the characters and to see ourselves juxtaposition the grace God offers. We’re invited not to feel shame or rejection, however. We’re invited to imagine a kingdom like none other. God’s plan is for the future rather than a plan to take us back to the past. We’re invited to imagine heaven on earth. Most of all, we’re invited to know that love is more powerful than hate.
In John’s telling, after Jesus noticed a large crowd was following, Jesus asked His disciples where they might buy enough food for everyone to eat. One of the disciples, Philip, said it would cost a lot just to offer a little to each person. Philip’s brother, Andrew, found a small boy with five loaves of bread and two fish. Not even enough for the disciples’ supper.
So they gathered them all and filled twelve baskets with the pieces left over from the five barley loaves which the people had eaten.
John 6:1-15
Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us the disciples suggested Jesus send the crowds away to fend for themselves. In their versions, Jesus tells His disciples to feed the people. Like John, Mark tells us the cost of food came up. In all cases, their starting point was five loaves and two fish to feed a crowd of more than five thousand. Not nearly enough for everyone to eat.
But everyone enjoyed a bounty of abundance, leaving more after supper than they had in the beginning. It was indeed a miracle of abundance and a divine mystery regarding where the extra fish and bread came from.
Throughout human history, scarcity has created conflict over who eats and who remains hungry. At times, wars broke out over water access. More often, battles were fought over who owned the land.
In our next series, Life, we’re reminded that none of us own the land or its resources. Like the feeding of five thousand or so by Jesus, we’re guests who show up hungry for both food and purpose. And God tells us to provide from the abundance provided.
Jones tells Ollie, “What’s possible is often determined by what you believe. On the other hand, what is impossible can always be determined by what you believe. Most times you won’t see it until you manage to believe it.”
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Pastor Tommy
Parts of our series are inspired by Kyle Meyaard-Schaap. Following Jesus in a Warming World: A Christian Call to Climate Action. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023.