Monday, May 2, 2022 (Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop & Doctor of the Church)
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Back stories on the shore of the Sea of Galilee
When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
Where did they get all those boats? The Sea of Galilee (Tiberius) is eight miles wide. Did they all make it across? The sea is 700 feet below sea level, set like a blue jewel among hills that are 1400 feet above sea level. That location makes the water subject to very sudden and violent storms.
No one except his disciples watched Jesus walk across the stormy sea in the middle of the night. But crowds of amazed men and women saw him heal a cripple at the Pool of Bethesda. They told their neighbors and followed Jesus out of the city. By that time they numbered in the thousands.
Then Jesus, smiling, found bread and fish for all of them out in the middle of the country, no stores, no villages nearby, nothing. Where did he get all those loaves and fishes? They had never seen anything like this. It was a party!
I told my wife, “Let’s stay here. I hope this never ends.” Is this the kingdom of heaven?
Jesus heard us, Jesus needed to get away, and in the morning he was gone. We waded into the water and shook the sleep off our skin. Someone said he’d gone to Capernaum, so we found boats and followed him. I wonder what will happen today. We’re all hungry, I know that. One meal satisfies for only a few hours. Where did he get that bread and fish?
But Jesus is a teacher, not a fisherman. He’s a prophet, not a grocer. And he made that clear immediately:
You are looking for me because you ate the loaves and were filled. Don’t work for food that perishes but for food that endures for eternity.
What does that mean, Lord? I’m hungry, but you’re telling me I should look for something else today?
I will give you the food you need. Believe in me, believe in the one he sent, the one on whom the Father God has set his seal.
In Sunday School we talked about loving God. God loves us, but how do we love God? One consistent New Testament answer is by being obedient. Keep his commandments, and when we fail, accept his forgiveness. “Has no one condemned you, woman? Then neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”
OK. So when I’m hungry beside the Sea of Tiberius, my stomach growling, waiting to eat, maybe loving God means to enter the suffering of a fast. The disciples are fasting, Jesus hasn’t eaten today, and we won’t either. We’ve been hungry many times. This world is not my home. Jesus knows that’s true, and he is offering us more than bread and fish today. Do not trouble yourself about tomorrow. Let my stomach grumble. We will not follow Esau, we will not give away our blessing just for a bowl of soup.
I have chosen the way of truth; I will set my heart on your law. I hold fast to your statutes, O my Lord. Do not let me put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.
My friend Stephen came with us to Capernaum with his family. He listens to Jesus and his eyes light up, he laughs, he looks at me with tears of joy in his eyes. Stephen wants to follow Jesus in the worst way, but … should he stay with his family and find them their own bread and fish?
Or can they just go with him? Will they be able to eat? What will Jesus say?
Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. When others debated him, they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. And when they looked intently at him, they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
These amazing things will take place in our lifetime. Until then, listening and watching and following Jesus, we will fast when we need to and celebrate when we can. Life without Jesus is like a donut, there’s a hole in the middle of my heart.
(Acts 6, Psalm 119, Matthew 4, John 6)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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