In the life of the church, we speak of Jesus is many ways. We talk about him as a healer, a prophet, a teacher, an example, a disruptor, a guide, a friend, and he is all of those things. In the pages of John’s gospel Jesus speaks of himself in still other ways saying: I am the bread of life (6:35), I am the light of the world (8:12), I am the door (10:7), I am the good shepherd (10:11, 14), I am the resurrection and the life (11:25), I am the way the truth and the life (14:6), and I am the true vine (15:1). But today, the good news that John announces in the miracle of feeding thousands (John 6:1-21) is simple and clear: Jesus is God among us; the word made flesh full of grace and truth.

In Psalm 145, one of the most beloved and familiar Psalms in Hebrew scripture, the writer describes the eyes of all creation looking with hope to the Creator, who, the Psalm tells us give[s] them their food at just the right time. “You open your hand,” the Psalmist says, “satisfying the desire of every living thing” (Psalm 145:15-16).

And here in John is Jesus at the edge of the waters of chaos surrounded by thousands of eyes looking to him in hope and expectation, and what does Jesus do but take the loaves and give thanks. And then John says, HE distributed them. From his hands, Jesus feeds his people with as much as they wanted.

We think the miracle is manna in the wilderness or bread for the hungry. But the real miracle is Jesus is revealed as God, the great I AM, who is here among us, giving himself to us for the life of the world, so that all creation might “have the power to comprehend . . . the breadth and length and height and depth of God’s great love” (Ephesians 3:18). Jesus is God with us giving his own body to feed us and free us from all that enslaves us and keeps us from living as salt and light for the sake of the world.

Thanks be to God!

P.S. View Sunday’s worship service to hear Pastor Amy’s full sermon on BLC’s YouTube Channel. Watch past services on the Share in Worship page of BLC’s website!