Preaching the Scriptures

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson John 6:1-21 Part 1: Basic Bread This story starts rather simply.   It will become increasingly complex, but at the first it is simple.   It is a feeding story.   In it people will eat.   They will eat basic bread.   They will eat basic fish.   They will have full bellies.   Jesus meets a basic human need. For five weeks, this being the first, we will live in this sixth chapter of John's Gospel.   We will trace the movement of the narrative.   We will witness this basic miracle become a theological mystery.   We will watch as those who want to make Jesus their king all walk away – confused, angry, disgusted.   This simple feeding story will become increasingly complex – when the food is no longer barley but Jesus' own body.   But for now though the story starts rather simply. The people followed Jesus because of the signs that he was doing for the sick.   That is how our Gospel story begins.   That is the why – why the crowd

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Mark 6:30-34, 53-56   Work The disciples have just returned from their mission.   Jesus sent out the Twelve in twos.   Six pairs on the road, casting out demons, anointing the sick, and crashing on couches.   Six couples, pounding the pavement in 1 st   century sandals, carrying with them nothing but walking sticks and the good news.     It was work.   It wasn't a hobby or something they did on Sundays.   It was important and it was demanding.   It was the reason they gave up the fishing nets and left their families.   They were out and about the work of Jesus.   They were saying Jesus things, doing Jesus things.   Where we join Mark's Gospel today, the disciples mission is now complete and, boy, are they tired.   And Jesus can just see it all over their faces – unless he's just one of those guys who always tells everyone they look tired; you know the ones.   The disciples need a break, a rest, a deserted place.   They need to