Take a Load Off and Rest: 18 July, 2021

Image Source

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

In the midst of great and grave responsibilities put forth by God upon Jesus Christ, to save the world, to proclaim the presence and power of the kingdom of God. . . Yet, the Son of God cautions his eager disciples to rest awhile, calm down, take a deep breath, and relax.

The frantic pace of our passage tells of . . . the disciples desiring to share their tales of adventurous victories. . . the crowds. . . rushing down the hills like mad stockbrokers at the opening bell. . . They all want a piece of the action. Healing. Feeding. Sharing. Seeing. . . .

What a refreshing word to all of us leaders in the church to hear our Master’s call again, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” What a soothing balm it would be for our congregation members, students, family, friends, and colleagues to hear those words. They, too, need the healing word of rest, reflection, and restoration. –– Neal D. Presa from Homily Service 42, no. 3 (2009): 79-87.

Jesus is concerned about people. He is especially concerned about those who have been let down by others, by those who should have cared for them. He responds to those who are starving for something that they probably could not put into words or name

. . . We see it over and over again, not least, in his feeding them when they are hungry. He did not see a crowd, he saw individual people who looked like lost sheep.

Even though he was tired and probably hungry himself, he gave them something very precious: He gave them time. . . He recognized people who had forgotten what it was to trust, men and women who had given up on hope. For them Jesus crossed the lake again, knowing that they would be there with all their demands. –– Michael Beck from Homily Service 42, no. 3 (2009): 79-87.

Ephesians 2:11-22

Paul addresses the fragmentation of the world in his epistle to the church at Ephesus. Jews and gentiles separated by religion and ethnicity are now one in Christ. Together they form a holy temple. Using the image of temple as a sign of inclusion of gentiles would not have been lost on either party. Ironically, only together are they holy.

Unity is what Christ brings to a fractured world, and now we are the unity which heals. Our worship, particularly our celebration of the table in Christ’s name, stands upon the prophetic actions of Christ feeding the five thousand and Paul’s application in his theology of radical inclusion. –– Todd Johnson from Homily Service 39, no. 8 (2006): 34-43.

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Some images . . . still evoke the sharp contrast between evil and good. Images of a shepherd are ones that evoke themes of nurture, love and protection. Jeremiah’s description of shepherds who scatter is an abrupt one. Sheep are one of God’s most needy creatures. Sheep will stare up into the falling rain, allowing the rain to fill their nostrils, at times to the point of drowning. A shepherd who scatters is a person intent on doing violence to the sheep. Shepherds who scatter are descriptions of archvillains. –– Todd Johnson from Homily Service 39, no. 8 (2006): 34-43.

Michael Beck, an Anglican parish priest with a DMin in preaching (2004) from the Association of Chicago Theological Schools, serves as tutor for preaching at the Lindisfarne College of Theology, Durham University, United Kingdom.

Todd E. Johnson, associate professor of worship, theology, and the arts at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California.

Neal D. Presa, pastor of the Village Presbyterian Church, Rancho Santa Fe, California, and adjunct professor of worship at Fuller Theological Seminary, was the Moderator of the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA).