One of the vicious prevailing myths of today is that of Scarcity. Those who claim to remember the Great Depression have urged us all to hoard what we have just in case lean days come to starve us. The people who know about world food supplies tell us that there’s plenty to go around, once we learn how to distribute it. In the meantime, we’re divided into Haves and Have-Nots, feeling guilty about owning more than some, yet unsure of what to give up… But that’s another story–scriptures for the coming weekend speak of a generous God who always gives us more than we need. Abundance with left-overs!
We begin with a few verses from II Kings 4:42-44: these appear in the canon to identify Elisha as a worthy successor to Elijah (see I Kings). Just as Elijah lifted up the providence of God to the destitute and the hungry, so Elisha announces that there’s no scarcity in God’s care. The disciple–the story needs his input–questions that there’s enough to feed the crowd; and the prophet assures everyone that the abundance of God will always prevail, WITH left-overs! This isn’t really a story about hungry people as much as it is about a God who’s present with Good Gifts even in a time of need. Culture gets sidetracked in its temptation to worship powers other than the Creator…and here is another reminder that with God, there’s plenty…
Paul or one of his friends blessed the Church in Ephesus with a continued wish for their insight as to the majesty and completeness of God’s Kingdom (Ephesians 3:14-21). The author prays (and so should we) that the Church might know the immense dimensions of God’s Place, “and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.” Again the holy instance is lifted up against the “knowledge” of the world: while the society around us cries “Scarcity”, God-followers can say with assurance that there’s plenty.
The Gospel is John’s account of the Feeding of the Multitudes, 6:1-21. One of the few miracles recorded in this Gospel, here John is contrasting the World with the Presence of God. We probably know the tale of Jesus making a huge crowd satisfied with morsels of five loaves and two fish. But again this isn’t only about human needs, but rather an affirmation of how much God provides for us. The disciple–see an earlier paragraph–must ask the question from human perception, “what are they among so many people?” And God/Jesus replies, “Let me show you!” When everyone was filled, there were enough pieces left to fill a basket for each of the Tribes of Israel; no one would get left out.
I love the word PROVIDENCE. There’s sorta an eternal ring to it, that SOMEone’s in charge! Everyday I count my money–but tomorrow we may all be dealing in woodpecker scalps instead of equities… I need these readings to remind me again that come Hell or High-water, God has everything under control… that God WANTS to give me more than I need, and can do this. “To God be the Glory, great things God has done!”
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
My musings upon lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com
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