“In the juvescence of the year

came Christ the tiger.”

T. S. Eliot

“(v.1) After this, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee (some call it Tiberias). (v.2) A huge crowd followed him, attracted by the miracles they had seen him do among the sick. (v.3) When he got to the other side, he climbed a hill and sat down, surrounded by his disciples. (v.4) It was nearly time for the Feast of Passover, kept annually by the Jews.

(v.5) When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, ‘Where can we buy bread to feed these people?’ (v.6) He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do.

(v.7) Philip answered, ‘Two hundred silver pieces wouldn’t be enough to buy bread for each person to get a piece.’ (v.8) One of the disciples—it was Andrew, brother to Simon

Peter—said, (9) ‘There’s a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish.

But that’s a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this.’

(v.10) Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them. (v.11) Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish. All ate as much as they wanted.

(v.12) When the people had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the leftovers so nothing is wasted. (v.13) They went to work and filled twelve large baskets with leftovers from the five barley loaves.

(v.14) The people realized that God was at work among them in what Jesus had just done. They said, ‘This is the Prophet for sure, God’s Prophet right here in Galilee!’ (v.15) Jesus saw that in their enthusiasm, they were about to grab him and make him king, so he slipped off and went back up the mountain to be by himself.”

John 6:1-15 (The Message)

Facing the Impossible:

Disciples: “The place is a mess”—“We’re done here”—“Send the people home”

Jesus: “They don’t need to go home”—“You give them something to eat”

1- Our inadequacies:

a-We feel them

b-We face them.

2- It’s a great adventure!

True spirituality grows as we develop deep dependence on God,

not on human self sufficiency.

3- Then the miracle of grace takes place.

As I surrender myself into the hands of Christ, a new and deeper

walk with him begins to unfold.

4- You give them something to eat!

God is always revealing some task, some message, some level of

compassion, some needed repentance, some reaching out . . . .

5- Jesus does not make new bread, he multiples bread already

available in you and me.

God started something in south Scottsdale

through Winfield Scott and his little church

which He has and will continue to use

throughout this century and beyond.

Is He calling you to join us?

Sept. 2, 2007

RJB