Read John 6:1-21
The lectionary shifts from the Gospel of Mark to the Gospel of John during the next weeks. All four gospels include the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. If you have time, read through all four accounts of the story, looking for similarities and differences. (See Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17) Many of the details are the same in the four gospels. This must have been a well-known and often-told story by the early followers of Jesus.
Note in this passage and throughout John’s gospel the emphasis on signs. The crowd followed Jesus because they had seen the signs of his ministry. In John’s Gospel, Jesus went up the mountain and sat down with his disciples. From his viewpoint, Jesus saw the large crowd and was concerned about their well-being, including if they had adequate food.
Jesus engaged Philip in a problem-solving discussion. Would Philip discern how these people might be fed? Would Philip look to Jesus and his power to solve the problem? Philip was caught up in the practical side of the solutions. There were just not enough funds. Andrew offered a suggestion. At least there was a young boy with five barley loaves and two fish. It didn’t sound like much, but then again, Jesus had done amazing signs.
Jesus requested the crowd to sit down. Then, Jesus began this meal with a similar ritual associated with Holy Communion. He took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed the bread among the hungry crowd.
The people were fed and there were leftovers. Jesus was so generous in feeding the crowd, there was extravagant abundance. Imagine that degree of generosity. This miracle is yet another sign of the power of Jesus. The people were firmly convinced, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.” (John 6:14 NRSV) The crowd wanted him to be their king, but the time was not right. So he withdrew to the mountain by himself.
Later, after his disciples had left to cross the lake to Capernaum, Jesus came to the boat by walking across the water. The disciples were afraid, but Jesus assured them, “It is I, do not be afraid.” (John 6:20) Performing miracle after miracle, sign after sign, Jesus lived among them.
Prayer
Gracious and generous God, stir me to gracious and generous living. May my life reflect your love. Amen
The lectionary shifts from the Gospel of Mark to the Gospel of John during the next weeks. All four gospels include the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. If you have time, read through all four accounts of the story, looking for similarities and differences. (See Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17) Many of the details are the same in the four gospels. This must have been a well-known and often-told story by the early followers of Jesus.
Note in this passage and throughout John’s gospel the emphasis on signs. The crowd followed Jesus because they had seen the signs of his ministry. In John’s Gospel, Jesus went up the mountain and sat down with his disciples. From his viewpoint, Jesus saw the large crowd and was concerned about their well-being, including if they had adequate food.
- What is an example of when 5000 people might gather in your community? Imagine that size crowd.
- What would it take to feed 5000?
Jesus engaged Philip in a problem-solving discussion. Would Philip discern how these people might be fed? Would Philip look to Jesus and his power to solve the problem? Philip was caught up in the practical side of the solutions. There were just not enough funds. Andrew offered a suggestion. At least there was a young boy with five barley loaves and two fish. It didn’t sound like much, but then again, Jesus had done amazing signs.
- Would you have expected the loaves and fish to adequately feed 5000?
- Describe the scene.
Jesus requested the crowd to sit down. Then, Jesus began this meal with a similar ritual associated with Holy Communion. He took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed the bread among the hungry crowd.
- What happened?
The people were fed and there were leftovers. Jesus was so generous in feeding the crowd, there was extravagant abundance. Imagine that degree of generosity. This miracle is yet another sign of the power of Jesus. The people were firmly convinced, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.” (John 6:14 NRSV) The crowd wanted him to be their king, but the time was not right. So he withdrew to the mountain by himself.
Later, after his disciples had left to cross the lake to Capernaum, Jesus came to the boat by walking across the water. The disciples were afraid, but Jesus assured them, “It is I, do not be afraid.” (John 6:20) Performing miracle after miracle, sign after sign, Jesus lived among them.
- As the disciples went to sleep that night, what might have gone through their minds?
Prayer
Gracious and generous God, stir me to gracious and generous living. May my life reflect your love. Amen
Prayer Petitions for this week
These petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church.
-Pray for musicians and leaders gathering for the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians conference at Valparaiso University, Ind., an annual continuing education event to nurture and equip church musicians, pastors and worship leaders.
-Praise God and give thanks for the leaders and volunteers who planned and implemented the ELCA Youth Gathering, Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE), the tAble event and the Young Adult Gathering. Give thanks for congregations, community organizations, residents and community leaders in New Orleans who demonstrated hospitality and shared their wisdom and resources to help make the ELCA Youth Gathering experience safe, relevant and impactful.
-“The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1). We may not be familiar with the work of shepherds anymore, but we do know the joy and relief of having God in our lives to guide us, comfort us, restore us and walk with us through darkness and evil. Give thanks and praise to God, our ever-present shepherd!
-Remember in prayer young adults nearing the end of their yearlong volunteer service in the Young Adults in Global Mission program. Give thanks for their faith, gifts, witness and commitment to ministry, and pray that the Spirit will prepare them to pursue new opportunities for service and ministry in the church, our communities and the world.
-Pray for peace and civility in our nation, for the mending of rifts and ideologies that isolate us and for the diverse gifts, perspectives and life experiences that enrich and inform our life together.
-Pray that the companion synod relationships connecting ELCA synods and congregations with Lutheran churches around the world will flourish and will nurture and strengthen these congregations for life and ministry through prayer, study, communication, exchange of visitors and sharing of resources.
-Do you see God doing great work with things that may seem small or insignificant to us? Lift up in prayer the things we witness that restore our faith, stir hope and reassure us that God is present and active in our lives, communities and world.
-Pray for musicians and leaders gathering for the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians conference at Valparaiso University, Ind., an annual continuing education event to nurture and equip church musicians, pastors and worship leaders.
-Praise God and give thanks for the leaders and volunteers who planned and implemented the ELCA Youth Gathering, Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE), the tAble event and the Young Adult Gathering. Give thanks for congregations, community organizations, residents and community leaders in New Orleans who demonstrated hospitality and shared their wisdom and resources to help make the ELCA Youth Gathering experience safe, relevant and impactful.
-“The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1). We may not be familiar with the work of shepherds anymore, but we do know the joy and relief of having God in our lives to guide us, comfort us, restore us and walk with us through darkness and evil. Give thanks and praise to God, our ever-present shepherd!
-Remember in prayer young adults nearing the end of their yearlong volunteer service in the Young Adults in Global Mission program. Give thanks for their faith, gifts, witness and commitment to ministry, and pray that the Spirit will prepare them to pursue new opportunities for service and ministry in the church, our communities and the world.
-Pray for peace and civility in our nation, for the mending of rifts and ideologies that isolate us and for the diverse gifts, perspectives and life experiences that enrich and inform our life together.
-Pray that the companion synod relationships connecting ELCA synods and congregations with Lutheran churches around the world will flourish and will nurture and strengthen these congregations for life and ministry through prayer, study, communication, exchange of visitors and sharing of resources.
-Do you see God doing great work with things that may seem small or insignificant to us? Lift up in prayer the things we witness that restore our faith, stir hope and reassure us that God is present and active in our lives, communities and world.
Lent 2020 -
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In Jesus’ day, women were generally silent, and rarely if ever seen, and are generally nameless. We hear about the Canaanite woman, or the Samaritan woman, or they are identified by their relationship to a man such as Jairus’s daughter or Simon’s mother-in-law. So the very inclusion of women in the gospel texts is remarkable. Yet these women are a part of our history and a part of Jesus’ story. This Lenten season, we will explore a different woman’s story each week.
Introduction to Lent 2020 and Women's Encounters with Jesus Week 1 - The Canaanite Woman: Matthew 15:21-28 Week 2 - Martha and Mary: Luke 10:38-42 Week 3 - A Bent Woman, Daughter of Abraham: Luke 13:10-17 Week 4 - A Woman Accused of Adultery: John 7:53-8:11 Week 5 - A Woman anoints Jesus for Burial - Matthew 26:6-13 |
Lent 2019 -
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Jesus often taught the crowds through powerful stories that feel just as contemporary today as they did 2000 years ago. These wonderful stories allow us to see the world of the first century through the eyes of first century followers of Jesus. Join us on this journey through 5 parables from the Gospel of Luke as we peel back the layers to discover how these parables simultaneously comfort and challenge us. Dig into the culture of the original hearers of these stories that challenge our assumptions about God, the world, our neighbors, and ourselves.
Once Upon a Time: The Beauty and Challenge of Story Week 1 - Are All Samaritans Good? Week 2 - Lost Things Week 3 - A Lost Son Week 4 - A Lost Brother Week 5 - A Feast for the Ones the World Forgot Reflections on Holy Week |
Lent 2018 |
The gospel of John tells the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection in a poignant, dramatic, and unique voice. In this Lenten Bible study, you are invited to enter into John’s world and encounter those who were a part of Jesus’ final days.
Introduction to the Gospel of John Week 1 – Nicodemus: Journey from Darkness to Light Week 2 – Judas: Journey to the Dark Side Week 3 – Peter: Journey to Understanding Week 4 – Mary Magdalene: Journey to Life Week 5 – The Beloved Disciple: Our Journey to Faithfulness |
Advent 2017 |
Pastor Joanne made a series of videos with a message for each week of the Advent season. Please follow this link to see those messages
Advent videos 2017 |