St
Peter’s Forsbrook 19th July 2015
Jeremiah 23.1-6 & Mark 6.3-34, 53-56
Last Sunday I was at Ilam
Park, I was there to take part in the big Mothers’ Union ‘Summerfest.’
We stayed in the Ilam
Caravan Park that has flocks of sheep in the adjoining fields. It is surprising
just how much noise sheep make even into the depths of the night.
Today’s readings would be
perfect in that setting, speaking as they do of sheep and shepherds.
For some reason those who
put the Lectionary together have omitted the Feeding of the 5,000 and the
episode of Jesus walking on the water leaving us to focus on the ‘outside bits’
of these two stories.
So our Gospel reading
begins with the twelve disciples returning from their mission where they were
to travel light and be in earnest about the message.
(Have you ever considered
what that message might have been – remember this is pre-crucifixion and
resurrection?)
During this time in our
narrative Herod has had John the Baptist executed.
So on hearing the disciple’s
news and stories Jesus says it is time for some well-earned R&R.
However this plan was
thwarted as people see them getting into a boat and setting off.
As they landed a huge
crowd had gathered, a huge demanding crowd with desperate needs of body, soul
and spirit.
Jesus has compassion for
them. This was more than feeling sorry, but a deep earnest compassion for them
because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
Herod was down South
getting drunk, throwing parties and killing prophets. The Scribes, the
Pharisees and the Elders had so tied up the Law that is had become a heavy
burden laid on people backs. And on top of all this
they were under the yoke of Roman authority.
Where was this Righteous
Branch Jeremiah spoke of so many thousands of years ago?
Where was this Shepherd
born of the House of David who would lead God’s people into good pasture?
So they sit and listen and
are fed first with the Word of God then with food from heaven.
Jesus dismisses the crowd
and of heads of into the hills to pray after telling the disciples to go on
ahead of him.
And the pressure doesn’t
ease. The time frame Mark sets would have made their landing very early in the
morning.
So they have been out
ministering, they have witnessed the feeding of the 5,000, then struggled to
row back across the lake until Jesus came toward them sometime around midnight.
As they land they are once more greeted
by yet another crowd, hungry for help, hungry for healing and hungry to be made
whole.
My daughter works as Cabin
Crew and knows very well the pre-flight safety-instructions and why they are
there.
One of those instructions
is to put on an oxygen mask should the cabin pressure drop.
The instructions state
very clearly that you are to put yours on before offering to help anyone else.
Should this ever happen
however, and you had a child with you, wouldn’t everything within you want to
see they were okay first.
However the logic is of
course that if you are comatose through lack of oxygen you are not going to be
able to help anyone, including yourself.
If we are going to minister
as one of Jesus’ disciples we need to ensure that we are breathing in the Holy
Spirit.
Despite the pressure of
ministry and work and the dozen and one other things that often crowd into our
days we need to take time out to be with Jesus , time in prayer and time in
quiet contemplation.
Yesterday I spent some
time with Chris Polhill, who lives on Cannock Chase just outside Rugely. Christine is Spiritual Companion Coordinator
for the Diocese. She has the most amazing Reflective Garden plus The Hermitage which
is available for use by individuals, couples or small groups of up to a dozen.
You good people are
shortly to welcome Jonathan among you as your new Shepherd. I don’t know if he
will come to you walking on the water as you struggle in the boat!
I do know that you have
continued the mission here with passion and energy.
But maybe it is time
before he comes to make some plans not just to be busy with mission and
ministry but also for prayer and contemplation.
Maybe you could get in
touch with Chris and arrange for a small group to go to The Hermitage, perhaps
including Jonathan.
Spending some time in
prayer before the busyness of ministry takes hold, before the demands and
responding to people’s many needs…
‘…and he (Jesus) had compassion on them,
because they were like sheep without a shepherd.’
Do you have you a heart of
compassion for those who are like sheep without a shepherd trying to find
meaning and purpose in life.
Jesus said I have come
that they may have life and life in abundance.
Do you know that for
yourself this morning?
Do you personally know the
Great Shepherd of the Sheep?
Should you not know that
then please do not go away from there this morning without finding out more.
However if you do know Jesus
the Good Shepherd, if you do know that He came so that we might have life in
all its fullness, if you do know he came to usher in the Kingdom of God, His
will being done upon earth as it is in heaven – if you know all of this then you
will also know that we are called to share this Good News in both word and
deed.
However to speak about
Jesus we need to spend time with Jesus...
‘Come away to a deserted
place and rest awhile.’
So in closing let me ask
four related questions…
How is your worship to
Jesus?
How is your working for
Jesus?
How is your witnessing of
Jesus?
How is your waiting upon
Jesus?
Let us pray…
O Saviour Christ, in whose
way of love lays the secret of all life, and the hope of all people, we pray
for quiet courage to match this hour. We did not choose to be born or to live
in such an age; but let its problems challenge us, its discoveries exhilarate us,
its injustices anger us, it possibilities inspire us, and its vigour renew us.
Pour out upon us a fresh indwelling of the Holy Spirit; make us bold and courage’s
in sharing faith in both word and deed for your Kingdom’s sake we ask.
Amen
