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Across the Pastor’s Desk by Don Rose

In the Gospel of John, the writer describes Jesus’ miracles as signs. These signs are clearly to point beyond themselves to that which is much greater, the grace and glory revealed in the Incarnate One. The sixth chapter of John shares the sign of the feeding of the multitude, followed by a long discourse or discussion about what that sign means for the people of God.

The crowds often receive poor publicity regarding their lack of perception regarding Jesus and his signs. They never quite seem to be in line with the direction to which Jesus would call them.

However, it is good to note that they at least knew enough to enter into the discussion, whether they fully understood or not. In that light the modern hearer or reader can more easily identify with the crowd and their misunderstanding.

The crowds have seen the sign that Jesus has performed and their vision of him has begun to change. Yet, the gospel writer makes clear that they still do not clearly know who Jesus is and what his signs mean for life. It appears that in response to being fed, the crowd wants to make Jesus a king who will feed them always. There is a sense of urgency to the crowd’s demands. They seek satisfaction of their perceived wants, needs and desires right now. The crowds connect the manna of the wilderness which God provided through Moses with bread that Jesus might provide for them always.

Jesus is disappointed with the crowd because of their limited vision. As is so often the case, whether then or now, the people were willing to settle for so much less than what Jesus had to offer.

Jesus was not simply offering food to fill their stomachs, but rather food that would satisfy the deepest longings of their lives. Confused and desiring what they could get, the crowds were willing to settle for the penultimate gift rather than the ultimate.

Time has not dramatically changed human behavior. People continue to be willing to settle rather than to be open to the fulfillment God so willingly offers. People sell themselves short by accepting the limited and often false promises of hope and security offered by the world because they seem to be more readily achievable. People are unable to allow themselves to trust in the one whom God has sent and to rest in the hope and security that God, and only God, is able to give: hope and security that is the gift of eternal life and bread that will never leave people hungry.

Don Rose is pastor at Mansfield and United Lutheran churches in Walters.