Year B Trinity 8/Proper 14; John 6:35,41-51

PRAY

There is a story about how, many years ago, there was an old man who used to walk the streets of Marseilles whom they called "The Miser of Marseilles." He was an object of derision throughout the whole city and even throughout the south of France, for everybody seemed to know him. Apparently he loved nothing and had no other object than to hoard every bit of money he got hold of; for what purpose, no-one knew. He was hated and he was derided whenever he appeared on the streets.

When he died, he was so despised that only a single person attended his funeral. Then his will was read, and these were its strange terms: From my infancy I noticed that the poor people of Marseilles had great difficulty in getting water. I noticed that water, the gift of God, was very dear and difficult to obtain. And when they could get that water, it was not as pure and clean as God intended it to be. Therefore, I vowed before God that I would live but for one purpose, for one end. I would save money, money, money; that I might give it to the city on one condition: that an aqueduct be built to bring fresh, pure water from yonder lake in the hills to Marseilles. That I now make possible by leaving all my hoarded wealth to this city. This is my last will and testament.

That aqueduct is one of the historic sights which guides and natives point out to visitors above all other things. Travellers in Marseilles today hear the poor people say as they drink the pure, sweet water from the lake in the hills, "Ah, when the miser died, we misunderstood him, but he did it all for us! We called him the miser of Marseilles, but he was more than that; he was the saviour of Marseilles." If we human beings could but learn the one inescapable meaning of that parable we would know the secret of how to get the most out of life which is to give the most to life.

Two weeks ago we saw how the crowd responded to the feeding of the 5,000 by trying to make Jesus King by force. Last week we looked at how they followed Jesus because he had fed them, and missed the point of the miracle. We looked at true bread, true work, and true life.

In today's reading we will look at two responses to Jesus, and two results.

Grumbling.

41 At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42 They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, `I came down from heaven'?"

Two weeks ago I mentioned that there were a number of links with Jesus and the story of the exodus of God's people from Egypt. I mentioned the deliverance of Israel from slavery, and Jesus deliverance of His people from the slavery of sin. The giving of the law to Moses on the mountain and Jesus teaching the people on the mountain. The giving of manna in the wilderness and the feeding of the 5,000 in a barren, deserted place.

Another link is grumbling. In Exodus 16:8 the Israelites grumbled before they received the manna. Moses also said, "You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him.

Even after the manna came God's people grumbled, saying that they wished they were back in Egypt because the food was better there ( Numbers 11 ).

The Jews grumbled because Jesus claimed to come from God. They thought they knew better because they knew of Joseph and Mary. But, again, their knowledge was superficial. They didn't know enough to act as judge and jury. They knew nothing of the virgin birth. They thought that they could know about the things of God by giving their opinions. Yet they didn't know enough, they were just exposing their ignorance and their blinkered attitude.

Recently we have had John Leslie and Dr David Kelly being condemned in the press and in Parliament in a way that led to torment for the former and the suicide of the latter.

As Christians we should ensure that we do not condemn people on the basis of heresay, and to follow the ways of the crowd. We should not grumble either, but instead look to God's great mercy and provision for us.

( Grumbling and ) Drawing.

There was a lady who designed and knitted exotic patterns with ease. There was an occasion when she had lunch in a real Chinese restaurant (only one person spoke partial English, all menus were in Chinese). When she saw the hand-written menu she was so impressed with the calligraphy she tucked the menu in her purse. Some months later she produced a stunning white sweater with the Chinese symbols hand-stitched down the front.
She received compliments galore until one cocktail party when she met a distinguished Chinese doctor who asked her where she got the symbols. He then wanted to know if she knew what they meant. "I'm afraid to ask," she said, "but tell me anyway." Even she had to laugh when he told her they read, "This is a cheap dish - but good."

This shows the importance of not only seeing, but knowing and understanding.

44 "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: `They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.

The basis for our salvation is God's grace. His undeserved favour in revealing himself to us, and reconciling us to Him through Jesus. Just as God graciously chose to deliver Israel from slavery He has also drawn those who are his to respond to his call. Ephesians 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

Jesus quotes from part of Isaiah 54:13 All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace.

This part of Isaiah insists that God will not permanently separate the nation of Israel. It foretells a time when the ruined capital city will be rebuilt and achieve a greatness it has never known. Yet the description in these chapters goes far beyond what has ever been realized in Jerusalem. It merges into a vision of the future, when sin and sorrow will be no more and people will live in final peace with God.

Jesus is bringing in the era that the Prophets looked forward to. Here he is referring to those who will listen to God and act upon what they have heard. Jesus has come from heaven, now God the Father is drawing people back to heaven through Jesus. If people truly listen to God and learn from him they must come to Jesus.

To listen and learn from God requires humility, a willingness to receive and to act upon what is heard. A willingness to admit that someone knows better than we do. Jesus looked to Isaiah in the Bible as authoritative. We need to come to God again and again in humility to listen to him as we study his word and listen to the Holy Spirit.

For those who listen, learn and act upon God's word Jesus promises, verse 44, I will raise him up at the last day.

Earlier I mentioned that there will be two results in people's response to Jesus. On that last day Jesus will return to earth in splendour and majesty. There will be a resurrection of the dead and everyone, living and resurrected will have to face the judgement of God. There will be two criteria for admission to heaven.

Firstly, has this person been perfect for all of their life ? Romans 3:23 says that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God'.

The next question will be, 'Has this person accepted the offer of eternal life offered by Jesus through his death for them on the cross ?' This is the only way that someone can avoid the just judgement of God of sinful humankind. There is no other way. Sincerity is not enough. The crowd sincerely believed that Jesus had not come from God.

Those who have accepted Jesus as their saviour can look forward to eternal life, verse 51. This is life that lasts for ever, although once we will be with God we will be outside time. On that last day believers will receive new, perfect, resurrection bodies.

We will be united with all other believers from history. One people, with perfect relationships with God, our environment and our fellow saints. We will be at peace with ourselves, knowing the satisfaction that the true bread brings. We will be serving and worshipping God with no distractions. We will be able to see God and be with him all of the time, contra verse 46.

The miser of Marseilles was driven by a vision of good quality drinking water for the poor. For this he forsook everything, his worldly goods, even his reputation. Our vision of heaven should bring hope, comfort, holiness and a determination to continue learning from God and following his ways.

I will conclude by reading the following, which is on the Notice Sheets.

The following inscription is on the cathedral in Lubeck Germany.
" Christ our Lord says this to us:
You call Me Master and obey Me not.
You call Me Light and see Me not.
You call Me Way and walk Me not.
You call Me Life and choose Me not.
You call Me Wise and follow Me not.
You call Me Fair and love Me not.
You call Me Rich and ask Me not.
You call Me Eternal and seek Me not.
You call Me Noble and serve Me not.
You call Me Gracious and trust Me not.
You call Me Might and honour Me not.
You call Me Just and fear Me not.
If I condemn you, blame me not."

Make room for Jesus in your heart and he'll make room for You in heaven

PRAY