Feeling in control, we're happy, believing we have mastery. However, we don't handle mystery too well. When the material and literal are replaced by the spiritual and poetic, we have to set aside our desire for mastery and embrace the mystery.
In the wilderness, the Hebrews have run out of provisions. They start complaining about God, never apparently thinking to ask God for help, or believing that God would provide for them (as God had done repeatedly in the exit from Egyptian bondage). They fantasize about sumptuous meals back in good ol' Egypt - meals that surely never happened - wishing they were back in slavery! They're sure they're going to die in the desert wilderness.
God hears their whining and belly-aching and tells Moses the divine plan. In the evening, they'll have quail galore for meat, and in the morning, more bread from heaven that they could eat. Why does God give-in so easily? Is this any way to manage a disagreeable people?
In John's gospel, Jesus had fed five thousand, walked on water across to Capernaum, and thought he was done with those people - the five thousand - who wanted to make him king. Yet they track him down in Capernaum and want more.
Is Jesus going to put on a magic show for them?
He tries to teach them a lesson about himself and about how God is providing something amazing here. They just don't get it. The more important question: Do we get the lesson?
Get some answers and learn more by watching the sermon video below.
In the wilderness, the Hebrews have run out of provisions. They start complaining about God, never apparently thinking to ask God for help, or believing that God would provide for them (as God had done repeatedly in the exit from Egyptian bondage). They fantasize about sumptuous meals back in good ol' Egypt - meals that surely never happened - wishing they were back in slavery! They're sure they're going to die in the desert wilderness.
God hears their whining and belly-aching and tells Moses the divine plan. In the evening, they'll have quail galore for meat, and in the morning, more bread from heaven that they could eat. Why does God give-in so easily? Is this any way to manage a disagreeable people?
In John's gospel, Jesus had fed five thousand, walked on water across to Capernaum, and thought he was done with those people - the five thousand - who wanted to make him king. Yet they track him down in Capernaum and want more.
Is Jesus going to put on a magic show for them?
He tries to teach them a lesson about himself and about how God is providing something amazing here. They just don't get it. The more important question: Do we get the lesson?
Get some answers and learn more by watching the sermon video below.
| 08-05-18-ff-answers.pdf |
| 08-05-18-mastery_and_mystery.pdf |