WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.599 Father, thank you so much that we, your people, can gather in your church, in your city, in your world, 00:00:08.599 --> 00:00:19.100 to listen to your word directed to us that comes to us for our good, for the salvation of many, and for the good of this world. 00:00:19.760 --> 00:00:28.420 We ask, Father, that the Holy Spirit would open and prepare our hearts for your word to have its role in our lives, 00:00:28.420 --> 00:00:35.320 to bring the repentance and healing and strengthening and hope that we desperately need. 00:00:35.660 --> 00:00:39.340 And we ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son and our Savior. Amen. 00:00:40.359 --> 00:00:41.219 Please be seated. 00:00:45.320 --> 00:00:51.180 So I'm going to take a bit of a risk with you and with you watching online. 00:00:52.120 --> 00:00:56.060 And sort of a, it's a confession, actually. 00:00:56.060 --> 00:01:01.359 I know that some of you, maybe many of you, pray for me, and I'm very grateful for that. 00:01:01.500 --> 00:01:05.040 And I desperately need your prayers because I am a fallen human being. 00:01:06.439 --> 00:01:12.640 And I actually, I'll begin to work on my next, the next sermon a week from now. 00:01:12.719 --> 00:01:15.140 I begin to work on that on tomorrow, tomorrow morning. 00:01:15.260 --> 00:01:16.300 I'll start to work on it. 00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:18.400 I work on my sermon a bit every day. 00:01:18.400 --> 00:01:25.020 But a week ago Friday, I was sat down to get some work done on my sermon. 00:01:25.160 --> 00:01:26.920 I'm doing this, and I'm doing this, and I'm doing this. 00:01:27.780 --> 00:01:32.640 And then, and maybe it's because one of you were praying for me, because I'm not the world's, I'm a guy, 00:01:32.880 --> 00:01:35.600 which means I'm often not very self-aware, right? 00:01:36.080 --> 00:01:37.719 I can often get hangry. 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:39.900 Angry because I'm hungry. 00:01:40.380 --> 00:01:41.500 But I'm trying to work on the sermon. 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:43.519 And then I realized I'm not getting anywhere in the sermon. 00:01:43.640 --> 00:01:49.079 And the reason I'm not getting anywhere with the sermon is that I was so irate. 00:01:50.599 --> 00:01:56.260 I was so irate at what the government had done. 00:01:57.040 --> 00:02:00.460 This is just give me some mercy to declare the Emergency Measures Act. 00:02:00.599 --> 00:02:02.219 I was so irate. 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:04.519 I could not work on the sermon. 00:02:04.519 --> 00:02:13.439 And, you know, pray that I never preach out of anger. 00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:19.300 That I never compose or design a sermon out of anger or deliver it out of anger. 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:22.199 Pray that I never do that, because that would not honor Christ. 00:02:22.879 --> 00:02:24.280 And I just had to stop. 00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:27.740 And it took me well over an hour of just wrestling with it in prayer 00:02:27.740 --> 00:02:32.180 to be able to get to a point where I could just begin to work at things. 00:02:32.180 --> 00:02:35.120 Some of you are writers. 00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:40.540 Some of you are in positions of authority and influence. 00:02:40.939 --> 00:02:46.520 And it might very well be your vocation to write about what happened 00:02:46.520 --> 00:02:48.980 and to give counsel about what happened. 00:02:49.040 --> 00:02:49.980 And that's good and proper. 00:02:50.240 --> 00:02:53.740 It's hopefully many of you are in positions in government and business 00:02:53.740 --> 00:02:56.240 or the press or the media to write about it. 00:02:57.100 --> 00:03:00.240 But it's not the vocation of the pastor of the church 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:02.080 who's going to come up and open the Word of God. 00:03:02.180 --> 00:03:05.300 I'm going to give you a lecture on my view about the Emergency Measures Act. 00:03:05.840 --> 00:03:07.420 It's not my vocation. 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:13.760 Christians in good conscience can come to different conclusions and nuances about that. 00:03:14.700 --> 00:03:15.780 It's not my role. 00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:17.040 It isn't my role. 00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:22.659 So, you know, I struggled with it in prayer for an hour. 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:27.659 And I came to a place of peace where I just... 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:31.979 Not that I didn't still have moral judgments, but, you know, anger, 00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:35.939 for those of you who ever are at all attracted or have a problem with anger, 00:03:36.139 --> 00:03:38.159 anger is intoxicating. 00:03:39.460 --> 00:03:41.120 Anger is intoxicating. 00:03:41.120 --> 00:03:47.819 Those of you who don't get angry or get very afraid of it don't know what I'm talking about. 00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:51.539 Those of you who do, you know how intoxicating it can be. 00:03:52.360 --> 00:03:56.640 And so I came to a place of peace and was able to work on my sermon. 00:03:56.740 --> 00:03:58.560 And I think if you listen to the sermon next week, 00:03:58.560 --> 00:04:00.860 I don't think anybody would say that it came out of anger. 00:04:00.860 --> 00:04:08.520 And, you know, I was thinking about that this week because, I mean, 00:04:08.540 --> 00:04:10.120 there's a variety of biblical texts. 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:15.300 And it wasn't this text that I thought about as I'm trying to wrestle with the whole issue in prayer. 00:04:15.420 --> 00:04:19.100 But, in fact, if I had of, this is a very profound... 00:04:19.100 --> 00:04:22.620 The text that we're going to look at today is a very profound resource 00:04:22.620 --> 00:04:27.500 to help you to, in fact, come to a place of compassion. 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:31.699 Compassion doesn't mean you don't make moral judgments anymore, 00:04:31.939 --> 00:04:37.060 but compassion is the context within which you make moral judgments 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:38.819 and judgments about justice, 00:04:38.959 --> 00:04:42.060 which is going to actually lead in a direction 00:04:42.060 --> 00:04:45.180 where there can be real justice and peace at the end of it. 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:47.980 So I'd like to invite you to look at the text again 00:04:47.980 --> 00:04:55.379 and see how this is, in fact, a very profound text to aid us in compassion. 00:04:55.379 --> 00:05:00.000 So it's... I'll give you a little bit more context in a moment. 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:01.839 It's Mark chapter 6. 00:05:01.899 --> 00:05:05.139 Hopefully you take your own Bibles and you can follow along with me as you look at it. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:06.800 It's Mark chapter 6, verse 30. 00:05:07.500 --> 00:05:10.199 And I'll give you a bit of context as we go into the text. 00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:13.000 But the one thing I'd like to tell you about this miracle, 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:15.399 because it's the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:18.959 it's the... other than the death and resurrection of Jesus, 00:05:19.139 --> 00:05:21.860 which is in all four of the Gospels, 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:25.900 this is the only other miracle which is recorded in all four of the Gospels, 00:05:26.540 --> 00:05:29.660 just the resurrection of Jesus and the feeding of the 5,000. 00:05:29.879 --> 00:05:35.180 So it obviously made a huge impression on the apostles and the early church, 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:39.520 and it got put, recorded in this ancient biography of Jesus. 00:05:40.400 --> 00:05:41.480 So here's how it begins. 00:05:42.259 --> 00:05:42.879 Verse 30. 00:05:43.600 --> 00:05:48.560 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:51.139 And if you just go back sort of the beginning of the... 00:05:51.139 --> 00:05:52.980 like about 20 verses earlier, 00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:58.800 Jesus had sent them out to teach and to heal and to deliver. 00:05:59.399 --> 00:06:00.620 And so now they've returned. 00:06:01.060 --> 00:06:03.560 And that's what's happened. 00:06:03.660 --> 00:06:04.220 Verse 31. 00:06:05.019 --> 00:06:06.519 And Jesus said to them, 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:12.160 Come away by yourselves to a desolate place or a solitary place. 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:15.519 That's another very good way to translate it. 00:06:15.579 --> 00:06:16.340 And rest a while. 00:06:16.339 --> 00:06:18.599 For many were coming and going, 00:06:19.099 --> 00:06:21.819 and they had no leisure even to eat. 00:06:22.500 --> 00:06:25.419 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place, 00:06:25.579 --> 00:06:27.479 a solitary place by themselves. 00:06:28.299 --> 00:06:32.179 Now, this is going to be very important, 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:35.000 and it's one of the things which you can't notice in the English, 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:36.620 but it's there in the Greek. 00:06:37.099 --> 00:06:39.339 And if you know the Greek, the original language, 00:06:39.339 --> 00:06:43.159 you'll understand a little bit about the significance of what's going on. 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:47.000 And up until now, every time there's been mention of a crowd, 00:06:47.160 --> 00:06:50.000 there's a particular word that was used in the original language, 00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:53.240 except in one occasion, and this is the second occasion so far. 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:55.880 And the word is hoi polloi. 00:06:57.780 --> 00:06:59.240 And that, of course, as we know, 00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:00.900 not many people know that term anymore, 00:07:01.040 --> 00:07:06.160 but it's a term of dismissiveness used by the elites against ordinary people. 00:07:06.320 --> 00:07:06.960 The hoi polloi. 00:07:07.020 --> 00:07:07.760 What are the hoi polloi? 00:07:07.980 --> 00:07:08.980 They're just the hoi polloi. 00:07:08.980 --> 00:07:11.640 Well, that's the word which, all the way through this, 00:07:11.720 --> 00:07:13.680 when it's talking about the crowds or the many, 00:07:14.140 --> 00:07:17.900 that's the word they're using, the hoi polloi, the many. 00:07:18.660 --> 00:07:20.000 That's the context. 00:07:20.340 --> 00:07:22.080 And this is going to be very, very, 00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:25.620 and here, those of you who remember what happened just before this, 00:07:25.720 --> 00:07:27.020 it's very, very significant. 00:07:27.200 --> 00:07:29.980 Remember, Mark didn't just sort of give you this little, 00:07:30.480 --> 00:07:33.140 it's not like he sent you a tweet with no context, 00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:34.180 and that's the tweet. 00:07:34.340 --> 00:07:35.920 I mean, this would be too long for a tweet. 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:39.840 But he just gives you, you know, an Instagram, you know, 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:41.720 with five different little pictures, 00:07:41.920 --> 00:07:43.100 and each one of them has some of this, 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:45.120 and it has no context to anything else. 00:07:45.460 --> 00:07:49.360 What's just going on before this is the complete opposite, right? 00:07:49.860 --> 00:07:53.560 Herod has met, and who's invited to Herod's birthday party? 00:07:53.620 --> 00:07:57.000 Well, the people invited to the Herod's birthday party aren't the hoi polloi. 00:07:57.080 --> 00:08:00.860 Who's invited to Herod's birthday party are the leading, 00:08:01.020 --> 00:08:02.879 and they're all men, only men, 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:05.839 and they're the leaders of the military, 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:08.759 the nobles, and the rich people. 00:08:10.199 --> 00:08:12.839 And probably with included, and that would have been, of course, 00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:14.639 yeah, I mean, they're the key influencers, 00:08:14.800 --> 00:08:15.659 the people who matter. 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:18.800 So just before this, there's going to be a meal, 00:08:18.980 --> 00:08:21.319 but the meal is restricted for only men, 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:24.560 and only those who are military leaders, nobles, and rich. 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:27.279 Jesus is with the hoi polloi. 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:31.299 Jesus is with the hoi polloi. 00:08:31.859 --> 00:08:33.860 And the difference between the two stories 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:36.339 is a very, very interesting thing to meditate upon. 00:08:36.419 --> 00:08:39.019 I'm just going to point out a few point of things about it as we go on, 00:08:39.100 --> 00:08:42.199 but it's a very interesting thing to meditate upon. 00:08:43.839 --> 00:08:47.679 How we know what happens to the hoi polloi 00:08:47.679 --> 00:08:50.079 in the story with Herod. 00:08:51.579 --> 00:08:53.959 Herod kills one of the hoi polloi. 00:08:53.960 --> 00:08:58.840 What does Jesus do when they disrupt his plans? 00:08:59.320 --> 00:09:01.840 Look at it in verse 33 and verse 34. 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:04.960 Now many, the hoi polloi, 00:09:05.580 --> 00:09:07.900 saw them going and recognized them, 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:09.259 that's Jesus and the disciples, 00:09:09.460 --> 00:09:11.660 and they ran there on foot from all the town 00:09:11.660 --> 00:09:12.840 and got there ahead of them. 00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:14.759 And when Jesus went to shore, 00:09:14.860 --> 00:09:15.960 he saw a great crowd, 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:19.460 and he had compassion on them, 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:22.660 because they were like sheep without a shepherd. 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:25.059 And he began to teach them many things. 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:29.339 Now, once again, the contrast is very important. 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:33.339 In the story, you might remember, 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:35.059 and if you go back and you read it, 00:09:35.439 --> 00:09:37.419 Mark records what goes through, 00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:39.559 you know, they're probably drunk, 00:09:39.779 --> 00:09:41.120 there's a sensual dance. 00:09:41.279 --> 00:09:42.860 The person who's done the sensual dance 00:09:42.860 --> 00:09:44.459 is a 12 or 13-year-old girl 00:09:44.459 --> 00:09:47.539 who's both Herod's stepdaughter and his niece. 00:09:48.079 --> 00:09:50.879 It's a sensual dance that arouses him and the others. 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:54.419 He makes a foolish promise up to half your kingdom. 00:09:54.559 --> 00:09:56.139 She asked for the head of John the Baptist. 00:09:56.779 --> 00:09:59.679 And Mark records what would have gone through Herod 00:09:59.679 --> 00:10:01.279 in his term of self-awareness. 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:02.439 And by his self-awareness, 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:04.820 he can't break his oath in front of all these powerful people. 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:06.159 But the fact of the matter is, 00:10:06.179 --> 00:10:07.580 as we all know, that's not true. 00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:11.639 Because if Herod's stepdaughter had asked 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:13.879 for three of your fortresses, 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:18.200 he would still have been drunk, 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:19.860 slightly inebriated, 00:10:19.980 --> 00:10:21.679 but his eyes would have gotten steely, 00:10:22.139 --> 00:10:23.679 his face would have gotten steely, 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:24.939 and he would have said, 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:29.000 honey, you better reconsider what you just asked for. 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:34.120 And given that the political leaders of those times 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:37.059 were not adverse to murdering family members, 00:10:37.059 --> 00:10:40.299 she would have probably looked back at her mom, 00:10:41.059 --> 00:10:42.799 and her mom would have done this. 00:10:44.079 --> 00:10:45.739 And she probably would have said, 00:10:45.799 --> 00:10:48.439 could I go back and ask my mom what I should ask for? 00:10:49.939 --> 00:10:51.719 But John's part of the hoi polloi, 00:10:52.839 --> 00:10:55.159 and the powerful people can kill the hoi polloi. 00:10:57.019 --> 00:10:59.599 That is often what life is like in the world. 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:03.180 Putin believes he can take over the Ukraine 00:11:03.180 --> 00:11:04.399 and nobody will stop it. 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:06.060 It doesn't matter how many people he kills. 00:11:06.180 --> 00:11:07.379 He doesn't want to kill a lot. 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:09.980 He just wants the property and the resources 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:12.120 and the spiritual significance, 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:12.759 and he does. 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:13.620 It's the way of the world. 00:11:14.060 --> 00:11:14.899 It's the way of the world. 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:20.360 But Jesus sees the hoi polloi 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:24.240 and has compassion on them and teaches them. 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:32.720 Now, this is a compassion story. 00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:36.879 But what you're going to see 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:39.940 is that it's not just a story, 00:11:40.200 --> 00:11:43.100 but a window, like a true picture 00:11:43.100 --> 00:11:46.860 of what reality is actually like at the deepest level. 00:11:48.680 --> 00:11:50.840 Just before the service here, 00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:52.940 I use my phone as a timer. 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:54.100 That's why I'm looking down. 00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:56.180 I'm not checking new tweets or anything like that. 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:57.100 I'm checking the time. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:00.460 And if you came and it was off, 00:12:00.960 --> 00:12:02.080 you know, when it turns on, 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:03.279 there's a picture of Louise, 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:05.700 and Shane was commenting on it. 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:06.820 And if you saw the picture, 00:12:07.300 --> 00:12:09.040 some pictures, you know, you could take it, 00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:10.580 and, you know, a police could take the picture, 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:11.899 and they'd be able to find the person. 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:13.399 But it's just a picture. 00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:16.440 But some pictures actually communicate 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:17.480 who the person is. 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:18.620 Do you know what I mean? 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:20.540 Like, it actually communicates who they are. 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:23.019 And if you were to see this picture of my wife, 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:24.399 you'd say, that's Louise. 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:26.159 That captures Louise. 00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:29.139 The way she smiles, the way she looks, 00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:31.939 it just captures her grace and her beauty. 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:32.740 It captures her. 00:12:33.939 --> 00:12:37.500 And this story isn't just sort of like Santa Claus for kids, 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:40.860 but in terms of importance of compassion. 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:46.120 And this story captures God, 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:50.200 who's created all things and sustains all things, 00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:53.200 and who alone can redeem the world 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:55.779 and will bring in a new heaven and a new earth. 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:59.639 And it reveals that compassion 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:02.980 is deeper than violence and hate, 00:13:03.060 --> 00:13:04.379 just as we long for, 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:09.399 that it's deep in the created order 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:11.580 and in the future. 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:14.779 Let's see how that works out. 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:18.860 And just before I say anything else, 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:20.700 before we look at the text, 00:13:21.460 --> 00:13:23.539 the way it sets this up 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:25.980 is it's very interesting 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:27.439 that the story, 00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:30.279 all these little tiny details in the story 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:32.539 set up the reality of the miracle. 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:36.399 It sets up the reality of the miracle. 00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:38.360 So we've already seen it. 00:13:38.419 --> 00:13:39.839 Like the first way that it's done it 00:13:39.839 --> 00:13:42.659 is that John and Mark hasn't put the God, 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:43.659 like he hasn't sort of said, 00:13:43.699 --> 00:13:45.839 I'll just throw a whole pile of miracle stories together. 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:47.459 And then, you know, 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:49.159 but no, no, what actually has happened 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:50.319 is just before this 00:13:50.319 --> 00:13:52.839 is the story of Herod killing John the Baptist. 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:54.719 And as I shared last week, 00:13:55.099 --> 00:13:56.500 Herod killing John the Baptist, 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:59.019 we know a whole lot of other things about that story. 00:13:59.099 --> 00:14:00.319 I shared with you some of the things 00:14:00.319 --> 00:14:02.519 about what happened in the subsequent months and years 00:14:02.519 --> 00:14:03.279 and everything like that 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:05.899 because one of the most important ancient historians, 00:14:06.100 --> 00:14:06.779 Josephus, 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:09.779 was basically writing just after this 00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:11.860 and he records a whole pile of things. 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:13.299 Like Herod's an historical person, 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:14.899 John the Baptist is an historical person. 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:16.120 Read Josephus. 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:18.199 Josephus will tell you that Herod has 00:14:18.199 --> 00:14:19.519 John the Baptist killed. 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:20.819 This is a story, 00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:22.699 a telling of history. 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:24.120 And Mark, 00:14:24.199 --> 00:14:25.139 if you just look at it, 00:14:25.199 --> 00:14:26.419 Mark goes right from telling you 00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:27.319 this historical event 00:14:27.319 --> 00:14:28.419 to this historical event 00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:29.959 and there's no change in language. 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:32.639 It's still the language of historical reporting. 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:33.299 It doesn't go into, 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:33.699 oh, by the way, 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:34.719 once upon a time 00:14:34.719 --> 00:14:36.979 or into language of analogy 00:14:36.979 --> 00:14:38.099 or there once was a time 00:14:38.099 --> 00:14:38.799 when this happened 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:39.379 or anything like that. 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:41.299 It's the same type of historical language 00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:42.379 which is being used. 00:14:43.079 --> 00:14:44.219 And it emphasizes 00:14:44.219 --> 00:14:46.699 that Jesus and the disciples 00:14:46.699 --> 00:14:47.639 go in a boat. 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.379 The boat would have carried, 00:14:49.579 --> 00:14:49.719 I mean, 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:50.899 there would have been 13 of them 00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:52.319 and from what we know of boats 00:14:52.319 --> 00:14:52.759 at that time, 00:14:52.819 --> 00:14:53.360 it's probably a boat 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:53.839 that would have carried 00:14:53.839 --> 00:14:54.899 about 15 people 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:55.840 and there would have been 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:56.980 some room for nets 00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:57.559 and everything like that 00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:58.100 but it wouldn't have been 00:14:58.100 --> 00:14:59.120 in something that would have had 00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:03.459 like a big pile of bread 00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:04.059 and fish 00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:04.939 that could go from here 00:15:04.939 --> 00:15:05.399 to the wall. 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:06.299 It wouldn't have had that. 00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:07.379 It would have just had room 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:07.799 for them 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:08.819 and for some of their gear 00:15:08.819 --> 00:15:10.840 and they go to a solitary place 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:11.459 and they keep saying 00:15:11.459 --> 00:15:12.759 they go to a solitary place, 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:13.679 a solitary place, 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.600 a solitary place 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:17.139 and it's emphasizing 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:18.039 all of these things 00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:19.120 and it's going to continue 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:20.740 on with the rest of the story. 00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:22.100 Look how the story goes 00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:22.939 and in a sense 00:15:22.939 --> 00:15:24.039 it doubles down 00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:25.279 on the miracle. 00:15:25.939 --> 00:15:27.240 Look at verse 35. 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:28.779 And when it grew late 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:31.759 his disciples came to him 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.339 and said, 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:34.099 this is a desolate place, 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.019 a solitary place 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:36.639 and the hour is now late, 00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:39.379 probably an hour or so away 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:40.079 from sundown. 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:41.299 Send them away 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:42.379 to go into the surrounding 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.579 countryside and villages 00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:45.519 and buy themselves 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:46.799 something to eat. 00:15:48.079 --> 00:15:48.279 You know, 00:15:48.419 --> 00:15:48.779 so the, 00:15:49.059 --> 00:15:49.980 and note one of the things 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:50.879 that's going to be important 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:51.819 in a moment, 00:15:51.820 --> 00:15:54.600 when I try to bring 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:55.280 some of this home 00:15:55.280 --> 00:15:56.040 in terms of what it means 00:15:56.040 --> 00:15:56.600 for us 00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:57.000 and, 00:15:57.320 --> 00:15:59.260 but Jesus doesn't rebuke them 00:15:59.260 --> 00:16:00.220 for saying this. 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.640 The disciples are showing 00:16:01.640 --> 00:16:02.300 compassion. 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:04.820 They don't have any food. 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:06.120 There's no food here. 00:16:06.400 --> 00:16:07.300 The people are hungry. 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:08.340 The food's run out 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:09.720 and it's going to take 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.280 some time 00:16:10.280 --> 00:16:10.720 and they're going to 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:11.500 probably have to finish 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.620 the journey in the dark 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.320 and they're not, 00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:14.379 it isn't, 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.560 the story isn't taking place 00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:16.400 in an orchard 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:17.759 or a vineyard 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:19.220 or a grain field 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:20.100 where people could 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:21.799 take food from it 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:22.459 and so, 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:23.600 once again, 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:24.439 there's compassion 00:16:24.439 --> 00:16:26.079 and they're never rebuked 00:16:26.079 --> 00:16:26.939 for it by Jesus 00:16:26.939 --> 00:16:28.100 and look what happens 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:29.100 in verse 37. 00:16:29.819 --> 00:16:30.779 He answered them, 00:16:31.699 --> 00:16:32.419 you give them 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:33.279 something to eat. 00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:34.459 Now, 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.279 it's not a rebuke. 00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:36.860 It's one of those times 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:38.120 when the disciples 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:38.659 are thinking, 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:38.899 okay, 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:39.559 that this is how 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:40.759 the story's going to go 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.799 and all of a sudden 00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:43.340 Jesus does this like this 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:43.759 and it's going 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.220 in a completely 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:45.019 different direction 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:47.639 and they said to him, 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:49.199 shall we go and buy 00:16:49.199 --> 00:16:50.840 200 denarii worth of bread 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:51.899 and give it to them to eat? 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:52.960 Now, 00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:53.980 200 denarii is 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:55.059 about nine months. 00:16:55.199 --> 00:16:55.579 If you take 00:16:55.579 --> 00:16:57.259 Canadian dollars, 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:57.819 you take what 00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:59.480 an average worker 00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:00.579 would make in Canada, 00:17:00.699 --> 00:17:01.399 it's nine months 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:02.120 worth of wages 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:02.720 approximately, 00:17:02.819 --> 00:17:03.779 just a little bit less, 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:05.259 less than nine months. 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:05.859 So, 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:06.539 that's a lot of money. 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:08.660 I don't know 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.559 about any of you, 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.779 but you probably 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.460 don't have 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.339 nine months worth 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:12.819 of your pay 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.480 in your pocket. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:15.079 But, 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:16.000 I bet we couldn't, 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:17.000 maybe I'm wrong, 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.220 maybe a couple of you 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:19.839 have a lot of 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:20.640 hundred dollar bills 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:20.980 on you. 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:21.860 We probably couldn't 00:17:21.860 --> 00:17:22.900 take all of the pockets 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.420 in the room 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:24.120 and come up with 00:17:24.120 --> 00:17:24.960 the equivalent 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.920 of nine months wages 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:26.500 for an average 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.160 working person. 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:27.339 So, 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.720 the disciples 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.099 don't have 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:29.740 those resources 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.700 and it's going 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.120 to take a lot 00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:31.259 to eat. 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:31.740 They just pick 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.220 out a number. 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.360 And verse 38, 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:33.960 he said to them, 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.559 how many loaves 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:34.880 do you have? 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:35.500 Go and see. 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:36.160 And when they found 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:36.360 out, 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:36.920 they said, 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.339 five and two fish. 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:39.500 Now, 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.019 I would say 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.779 that for a group 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:41.460 of guys 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.559 in our day in world, 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.180 five loaves 00:17:43.180 --> 00:17:43.779 and two fish, 00:17:43.860 --> 00:17:44.460 because they weren't 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.180 loaves like this, 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.640 they were probably 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:46.500 loaves like that, 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.559 wouldn't feed us. 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:47.759 But, 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.039 you know, 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:48.700 everybody in those 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:49.380 age were a lot 00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:50.460 smaller and they'd 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:50.880 be way, 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:51.640 way skinnier. 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:53.380 And maybe that was 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:53.900 enough for them 00:17:53.900 --> 00:17:54.759 to have their meal 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:55.860 so they could worry 00:17:55.860 --> 00:17:56.500 about breakfast 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:57.180 the next day. 00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:58.059 But it wasn't 00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.799 that much food. 00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:00.519 And so, 00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:00.940 once again, 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:01.160 you see, 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:01.819 the story is 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:02.960 emphasizing that 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:03.900 they don't have 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:04.620 any resources 00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:06.180 to handle this. 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:07.000 Okay? 00:18:07.100 --> 00:18:07.220 I mean, 00:18:07.340 --> 00:18:08.240 that's separate 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:08.740 from the fact 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.160 that they said, 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:09.299 well, 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:09.660 even when we had 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:09.960 the money, 00:18:10.040 --> 00:18:10.380 they could have 00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:10.960 gone on and maybe 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.279 that's what 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:11.900 happened originally. 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:12.460 Like, 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.200 even if we went 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:14.080 to a place 00:18:14.080 --> 00:18:14.740 and we could 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.300 buy all the 00:18:15.300 --> 00:18:15.380 things, 00:18:15.420 --> 00:18:15.740 we don't have 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.640 wagons to bring 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:17.140 all the bread 00:18:17.140 --> 00:18:17.600 and fish, 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:17.880 like, 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:18.160 we just, 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:18.840 we don't have, 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:19.940 it's just impossible, 00:18:20.100 --> 00:18:20.300 Jesus, 00:18:20.380 --> 00:18:21.080 we just don't have 00:18:21.080 --> 00:18:21.680 the resources. 00:18:22.580 --> 00:18:23.080 So then, 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:23.680 Jesus does 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.200 something here 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:24.960 which is very 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:25.920 significant to 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:26.480 the miracle. 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:28.040 It, 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:28.540 once again, 00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:29.759 really emphasizes 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:31.000 the miracleness 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:31.759 of the miracle. 00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:32.519 Look what happens 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.779 in verse 39 00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.440 and 40. 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:35.860 he commanded 00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:36.460 them all 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:37.160 to sit down 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:37.960 in groups 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:39.539 on the green grass 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:40.200 so they sat 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:40.940 down in groups 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:41.580 by hundreds 00:18:41.580 --> 00:18:42.660 and by fifties. 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:43.720 Now, 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.160 this is going 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:44.700 to be very, 00:18:44.820 --> 00:18:45.539 very important 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.240 to the miracle. 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:47.900 If you had 00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:49.620 5,000 plus people, 00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:50.539 we don't know 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:50.900 that number 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:51.480 until the end, 00:18:51.580 --> 00:18:53.180 but nine months 00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:53.940 worth of wages 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:54.720 tells you 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.740 that they're 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:56.320 estimating, 00:18:56.640 --> 00:18:57.480 this is a lot 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:57.820 of money 00:18:57.820 --> 00:18:58.660 to feed this group. 00:18:58.779 --> 00:18:59.500 This is a very, 00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:00.320 very big group. 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:01.140 But if they're 00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:01.779 all standing 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.759 and milling around, 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.580 that if Jesus 00:19:03.580 --> 00:19:04.340 did the miracle, 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.240 people, 00:19:05.360 --> 00:19:05.500 I mean, 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.019 the disciples 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:06.500 might know, 00:19:06.580 --> 00:19:07.039 but apart from 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.559 the disciples, 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:08.080 the crowd 00:19:08.080 --> 00:19:08.580 wouldn't know 00:19:08.580 --> 00:19:09.039 because they 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:09.600 might just think 00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:10.660 there's a couple 00:19:10.660 --> 00:19:11.259 of wagons 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:12.180 of food back there 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:12.840 they can't see 00:19:12.840 --> 00:19:13.519 very well 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.220 or there's a big 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:14.700 hall of, 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.299 a couple of boats 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:15.799 have come in 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:16.700 with lots of fish 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:17.759 and they've been 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.080 cooking, 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:19.100 like they can't see. 00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:19.940 But when you have 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:21.180 them all sit down 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:22.559 and all sit down 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.580 in order groups 00:19:23.580 --> 00:19:25.140 and Jesus has done it 00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:25.620 and now they're 00:19:25.620 --> 00:19:26.320 looking at Jesus, 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.019 they're expecting 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:28.259 Jesus to do something, 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.299 there's going to be 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:29.660 a very, 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:30.580 very clear view. 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:31.500 There's no pile 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.019 of food. 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:32.880 There's no pile 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.440 of fish. 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:34.519 There's nothing. 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:37.200 There's only Jesus. 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.180 There's only Jesus. 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:43.180 And what do they see? 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:45.000 Verse 41, 00:19:45.340 --> 00:19:46.519 taking the five loaves 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:47.220 and the two fish 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:48.019 he looked up to heaven 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.759 and said a blessing. 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.480 A blessing here 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:50.180 doesn't mean that he 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:51.460 asked God to do a miracle. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.840 The blessing is 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:54.759 probably a two-fold blessing. 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:55.340 You know, 00:19:55.380 --> 00:19:55.940 we bless you 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:56.920 and praise you God, 00:19:57.060 --> 00:19:57.580 the Father, 00:19:57.820 --> 00:19:58.799 creator of all things, 00:19:58.940 --> 00:20:00.060 sustainer of all things. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:01.000 You alone are God, 00:20:01.080 --> 00:20:01.759 there is no other. 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.560 And bless these, 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.160 your people 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:04.880 and your children. 00:20:05.120 --> 00:20:06.120 But it's not a prayer 00:20:06.120 --> 00:20:07.299 for God to do a miracle, 00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:08.299 it's a prayer of blessing, 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:09.440 it's a prayer of adoration 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.119 and praise. 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.980 And then he broke the loaves 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.220 and gave them to the disciples 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:14.639 to set before the people. 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.460 And the disciples, 00:20:18.059 --> 00:20:20.159 and he divided the two fish 00:20:20.159 --> 00:20:20.839 among them all. 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:21.539 And we don't know 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.200 if the disciples 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:23.019 were doing this, 00:20:23.399 --> 00:20:24.339 rolling their eyes 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:25.139 or with anxiety. 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.639 It gives you no emotional 00:20:26.639 --> 00:20:27.359 thing going on. 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:27.959 But what they do 00:20:27.959 --> 00:20:28.639 is they do it. 00:20:29.679 --> 00:20:31.819 And they all ate 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:32.619 and were satisfied. 00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:33.799 And they took up 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.639 twelve baskets 00:20:34.639 --> 00:20:35.659 full of broken pieces 00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:36.319 and of the fish. 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.799 And those who ate the loaves 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.819 were five thousand men. 00:20:41.139 --> 00:20:41.919 So it would be interesting, 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.339 you know, 00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:43.039 if you think about it, 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:44.219 how would you want to film this 00:20:44.219 --> 00:20:44.740 if you were making 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.500 a movie of it? 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:47.399 So you have this 00:20:47.399 --> 00:20:48.519 five thousand plus, 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:50.279 maybe ten thousand people 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:51.679 all watching, 00:20:51.979 --> 00:20:52.399 quiet, 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:53.899 maybe chatting 00:20:53.899 --> 00:20:54.519 amongst themselves, 00:20:54.639 --> 00:20:55.139 but quiet 00:20:55.139 --> 00:20:55.899 when he says 00:20:55.899 --> 00:20:56.799 the words of blessing. 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.779 And they would have seen, 00:20:58.879 --> 00:20:59.159 I don't know, 00:20:59.199 --> 00:20:59.699 maybe they had 00:20:59.699 --> 00:21:00.740 some type of bowl 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:02.019 or some type of basket 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:03.119 or some type of bag 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:03.759 and you would have seen 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:05.279 Jesus take off a hunk 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:06.740 and divide it 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.519 amongst them all. 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.379 And they would have just seen 00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:09.459 that it's not very much. 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.740 And you can well imagine, 00:21:11.199 --> 00:21:11.419 I mean, 00:21:11.439 --> 00:21:12.419 I probably would look 00:21:12.419 --> 00:21:13.399 at the faces 00:21:13.399 --> 00:21:14.240 of the apostles. 00:21:14.439 --> 00:21:14.759 That's probably 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.500 what I would film. 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:19.259 As they walk 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:21.479 first here 00:21:21.479 --> 00:21:22.159 and to there 00:21:22.159 --> 00:21:24.279 and I would take off 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:25.439 just a tiny little bit 00:21:25.439 --> 00:21:27.179 and I'd probably be red 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:29.460 faced with embarrassment 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:31.220 and I give 00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:31.820 that little bit 00:21:31.820 --> 00:21:32.460 and a little bit 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:34.100 and then another little bit 00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:35.000 and another little bit 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.019 and then another little bit 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.700 and another little bit 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.400 and then I look down 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:39.500 and the bread 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.240 hasn't decreased 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:41.140 and neither is the fish. 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:42.960 And then I give 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:43.440 a little bit 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:44.120 and a little bit 00:21:44.120 --> 00:21:44.980 and a little bit 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:45.640 and a little bit 00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:46.759 and the bread 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.140 and the fish 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:47.840 haven't decreased. 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:49.600 And then I go back 00:21:49.600 --> 00:21:50.160 to the beginning 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:50.880 and then 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:51.680 at some point 00:21:51.680 --> 00:22:02.380 point in time, there would probably be this joyous, gobsmacked excitement as you give 00:22:02.380 --> 00:22:07.440 hunks and hunks of bread and fish to the person after person after person, and the bag never 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:11.480 diminishes, and the bag never diminishes. And not only does the bag not diminish, the 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:17.759 bag is fuller as you go, so that by the end of the whole thing they can gather up 12 baskets 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:22.960 full of fish and bread, and everything about the story emphasizes that there is a miracle. 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:32.879 To be very clear, there is more matter in the universe after the miracle than there was before. 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:40.379 There is more matter in the universe after the miracle than there was before. Only God, 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:46.519 only God, only God can create out of nothing. Only the true and living God described in the 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:55.039 Gospels described in the Old Testament can create matter out of nothing. In fact, one of the reasons, 00:22:55.839 --> 00:23:02.359 if the conversation was able to turn to it, one of the reasons a Christian should say to their 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:08.200 Muslim friends, and as many of us know, many of our Muslim friends are vastly more, I was just in a 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:14.840 conversation with a Muslim man just at the end of last, or at the beginning of this week, and gosh, 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:20.779 I mean, he's just very devout and very prayerful. Like, he really is probably a vastly better man than I am. 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:27.680 But one of the things we would say to our Muslim friends is, if God himself walks amongst the created 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:33.900 world and speaks, why would we need to wait six centuries for him to merely send a prophet? 00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:41.940 If God himself, God himself comes and walks amongst his creation and speaks and acts, 00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:47.160 why on earth would anybody want to wait for a prophet to come later? 00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:54.280 Now, obviously some of you are going to say, well, this is completely and utterly impossible, 00:23:54.540 --> 00:24:02.380 George. It violates every scientific law, to which I'd say it does not violate a single scientific law, 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:14.360 not one. It does not violate a single scientific law. It violates a misunderstanding of science, 00:24:14.360 --> 00:24:20.420 but it doesn't violate science. Well, blah, blah, blah, blah. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. What does the 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:25.720 scientific method say? The scientific method and scientific theory always works on the principle 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:35.620 that you do the experiment and nothing extraneous comes into it. Like, the first law of thermodynamics 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:40.160 is that in a closed system, there's neither, my mother is neither created or destroyed. But that's 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:44.740 the whole point of this, is we Christians, this miracle shows we don't live in a closed system. 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:53.240 I mean, the scientific research is based on the idea that we're just, we're going to work, 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:57.680 we're only looking at natural causes. That's what we're going to look at. We're going to look at 00:24:57.680 --> 00:25:02.599 natural causes and natural processes, and we're going to see how things naturally react. 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:07.700 And what this is saying is that it doesn't say, I mean, the second the bread is created, 00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:14.160 it can be eaten. The second the bread begins, is created, it begins to get dry at whatever rate 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:20.920 bread gets dry in that type of environment. And if the bread is left on the ground, the bread will 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:26.500 get merged with the ground, and eventually it will go moldy. All of the scientific law is completely 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:30.640 and utterly practiced, but all that happened is that God himself has walked amongst, and he's 00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:34.980 created more matter. The second the matter comes into the world, it acts according to it. I mean, 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:39.420 I've shared with you this analogy before, but it's a very important analogy to help you understand it. 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:44.800 I mean, money works in very, very obvious ways, you know. I mean, one of the problems, 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:49.919 I mean, one of the problems is, for those of you who maybe, you know, you check the money at the end 00:25:49.919 --> 00:25:57.659 of the service, and you do your bank balances, it can't just be within a dollar. Like, it has to be 00:25:57.659 --> 00:26:02.059 correct to the penny. I mean, that's just how, that's how numbers work. Like, you can't have one 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:07.399 person say, oh, you know, I got, you know, $400, I got $350. That's close enough. No, it's not close 00:26:07.399 --> 00:26:13.879 enough, because that's not the way money works, right? And so, you know, money just works. You know, 00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:17.580 I have a 20, and you add a 20, you add a 20, it gets you sick, it gets you three $20 bills, 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:24.620 that's $60. That's how it works. And so, imagine, you know, that I had far more financial resources 00:26:24.620 --> 00:26:31.600 than I have, and one of my children wants to buy a house, and they can't buy a house because they 00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:36.280 don't have the financial resources or the credit rating, et cetera, et cetera, to do it. So, my wife 00:26:36.280 --> 00:26:39.840 and I decide that we will, I mean, all the money will, in a sense, come from them, but we will, 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:45.299 in effect, become a co-signer on the mortgage. And we say to our son, or we say to our daughter, 00:26:45.459 --> 00:26:49.679 that part of the condition of that, by the way, is that, you know, the bank account that you have 00:26:49.679 --> 00:26:55.519 the mortgage on, that we have a sign and authority that too, right? And then one day, and money works, 00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:59.539 just by money works, they're making X number of dollars, and X number of dollars, you know, 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:04.659 works on the mortgage, and it works on the fractions, and the percentages, and all of that, 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:09.140 and that's just how it works, and we can see by looking at that and another thing that our son 00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:15.360 or daughter is in some type of financial distress. And so, one day, Louise and I, we talk about it, 00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:19.500 and we decide that we just want to bless our kids, so we put $10,000 extra in the bank account. 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:24.860 Well, has that violated the rules of math? No. Has it violated the way money works? No. 00:27:25.860 --> 00:27:33.600 That extra $10,000 is now in there. All of the other equations all just instantly change, right? 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:38.220 And that's exactly what's going on here. In fact, if you could help the first point, 00:27:38.360 --> 00:27:44.320 here's the thing which is going on in the story, okay? Especially, I'm going to say it, 00:27:44.320 --> 00:27:47.519 and then I'll explain why I put it in this way. And I'm just going to add, up there, 00:27:47.580 --> 00:27:51.960 it doesn't say strong hand. I realized afterwards I should add that, because it's actually even better. 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:58.880 The strong hand of love that made the world is the same strong hand of love that sustains the world, 00:27:58.880 --> 00:28:04.940 is the same strong hand of love that was nailed to the cross to redeem his fallen world, 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:10.960 and is the same strong hand of love that will beckon and welcome his redeemed children 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:14.200 into the new heaven and the new earth. 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:22.000 I mean, that's what you're seeing when you look at this, because it's going to be the same hands 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:27.720 that breaks the bread and distributes it. It's the same hands that will be nailed to the cross. 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.920 Very same hands. 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:38.539 And by God, the creator of all things, because only God can make something matter out of nothing, 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:43.259 only God can do that. What we are actually seeing. Remember I said that this story, 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:46.859 you know how Shane looked at the picture of Louise and said, 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:49.619 that's a good picture of Louise, like that captures Louise. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:55.519 And what this story is telling us is this story captures God, 00:28:56.419 --> 00:28:59.179 and it captures the deeper, deepest reality. 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:05.259 The world came into being not as an accident, 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:09.579 not as a tragedy, and not because the gods wanted slaves, 00:29:10.899 --> 00:29:14.139 or because God needed somebody to praise him. 00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:18.340 It was God's strong hand of love that created the world. 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:23.480 And I know there is famine in the world, and there's hunger in the world, 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:26.880 and we all know that those things are wrong, and that the world is broken. 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:30.620 And that's a different part of the story as to how the world became broken, 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:33.480 but it wasn't broken by God, it was broken by human beings, 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:36.300 and continues to be broken by human beings. 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:41.359 But the fact of the matter is, is that whenever we eat, 00:29:42.339 --> 00:29:44.440 and whenever there's a good harvest, 00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:49.500 and whenever we have the clean rivers, and the rain, and all of that type of stuff, 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:53.980 what you are actually seeing is the strong hand of love sustaining all things. 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:56.319 The same strong hand of love that created all things 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:59.419 is the same strong hand that sustains all things, 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:02.059 and provides for us today the coffee, and the tea, 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:05.799 and the milk, and the cereal, and the bacon, and the eggs, 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:09.039 and the veggie bacon that we ate today. 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:15.139 And it's the same strong hand of love that is nailed to the cross. 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:19.240 And it will be that same strong hand of love 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:24.299 that if we die before he returns, 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:28.839 those who are redeemed in Jesus will close their eyes 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:30.740 in the sleep of death, 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:35.019 and wake in the new heaven and the new earth 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:37.299 to the same strong hand of love, 00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:41.799 waving in welcome, and beckoning you in. 00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:46.259 You see, compassion 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:50.339 is deep. 00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:54.680 It is deeper 00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:57.879 the violence of an invasion of Ukraine, 00:30:58.740 --> 00:31:00.159 the persecution of Christians 00:31:00.159 --> 00:31:01.960 in Nigeria, 00:31:02.899 --> 00:31:04.639 the persecution of Christians 00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:06.339 in many other groups in China. 00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:11.000 Our basic intuition 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:13.240 that that looks strong 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:14.960 but is ultimately doomed 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:17.240 is shown to be true, 00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:18.839 a true intuition 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:21.160 in light of the gospel. 00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:29.900 True and living God 00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:31.720 has compassion on the hoi polloi 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:34.880 and gives them the dignity 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:35.619 of feeding them 00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:37.460 and caring for them. 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:44.019 In fact, that's actually one of the things 00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:45.740 which is so important about this story. 00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:48.599 See, I think many people 00:31:48.599 --> 00:31:51.619 will look at something like this 00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:51.940 and say, 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:52.779 well, George, I mean, 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:54.480 that's really a nice story. 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:57.740 But if you were to know my story, 00:31:57.839 --> 00:31:58.599 you would know that 00:31:58.599 --> 00:32:00.200 I am always the left out. 00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:02.779 I am always the forgotten. 00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:05.680 I am always the butt of jokes. 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:08.080 I am always the ignored. 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:10.500 I am always the lonely. 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.580 I am always the one 00:32:12.580 --> 00:32:13.460 who does not matter. 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:17.640 One of the things 00:32:17.640 --> 00:32:18.480 which is so wonderful 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.600 is what does this 00:32:19.600 --> 00:32:21.299 whole story focus on? 00:32:21.640 --> 00:32:22.560 Apart from Christ, 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:24.240 it focuses on the hoi polloi, 00:32:25.380 --> 00:32:26.539 the people who don't matter. 00:32:28.180 --> 00:32:29.380 And all I can say is 00:32:29.380 --> 00:32:30.680 that Jesus looks at you 00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:32.380 and he says, 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:33.299 you matter to me. 00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.720 You matter to me. 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:37.940 And this good news 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:39.759 that George is just talking about, 00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:41.080 that good news is for you. 00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:45.240 Your days have been the forgotten. 00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:49.100 I mean, that might not end 00:32:49.100 --> 00:32:50.519 on this earth, 00:32:51.140 --> 00:32:52.420 but I can tell you 00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:53.500 that from all eternity 00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:54.380 you matter to me 00:32:54.380 --> 00:32:55.259 and you will matter 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.560 into eternity with me. 00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:03.799 And for us, 00:33:04.080 --> 00:33:05.320 just a couple of points 00:33:05.320 --> 00:33:05.940 in closing 00:33:05.940 --> 00:33:07.660 in terms of what it means 00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:09.320 for us to hear this story 00:33:09.320 --> 00:33:10.100 and to receive it. 00:33:10.140 --> 00:33:10.680 If you could put up 00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:11.580 the next point, 00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:12.279 that would be great. 00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:13.720 We're to receive 00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.320 the good news 00:33:14.320 --> 00:33:15.039 about the person, 00:33:15.140 --> 00:33:16.039 work, and promises 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:17.279 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:19.080 And as we receive it, 00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.759 and as it becomes 00:33:20.759 --> 00:33:22.340 a deeper part of who we are, 00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:23.400 as it becomes clearer 00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:23.900 and clearer 00:33:23.900 --> 00:33:25.100 what Jesus, 00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:26.420 who he is, 00:33:27.320 --> 00:33:28.759 and the significance 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.720 of the fact that 00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:31.160 you see, 00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:32.000 if you think about it, 00:33:32.079 --> 00:33:33.799 it's only if the creator 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:34.900 of all things, 00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.960 only the creator 00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:36.900 of all things 00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:37.519 could die 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:38.900 for the whole creation, 00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:41.100 could die for the rich 00:33:41.100 --> 00:33:41.720 and the poor, 00:33:41.880 --> 00:33:43.000 the gay and the straight, 00:33:43.140 --> 00:33:44.160 the black and the white, 00:33:44.460 --> 00:33:45.880 the Asian, 00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:47.579 the people from India, 00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:50.200 from all the different cultures, 00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:51.779 people living in feudal times 00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:53.380 and pagan times 00:33:53.380 --> 00:33:54.660 and remote tribes 00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:56.980 and powerful people 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:58.519 and unpowerful people 00:33:58.519 --> 00:34:00.079 and handicapped people 00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:01.859 and people with spectacular 00:34:01.859 --> 00:34:04.579 physical and mental abilities. 00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:06.059 It's only the creator 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:07.279 of all that could die 00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:07.839 for all. 00:34:10.239 --> 00:34:11.539 And it's only the creator 00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:12.719 of all who knows all 00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:14.059 that his death for all 00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:14.960 could be for all 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:15.900 of who you are. 00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:18.320 That by the time 00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:19.280 you go from this story 00:34:19.280 --> 00:34:20.259 to the cross 00:34:20.259 --> 00:34:21.360 and then the resurrection, 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:22.980 you realize that Jesus 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:24.400 has done it all. 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:28.079 and that all we can do 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:30.079 is begin to live out of 00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:30.820 the truth 00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:32.740 of what he has done for us. 00:34:33.039 --> 00:34:34.760 Not live to attain 00:34:34.760 --> 00:34:35.880 something from him 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:37.380 but to live out of the truth 00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:40.160 of his compassion for you. 00:34:41.639 --> 00:34:43.059 The truth that he looks 00:34:43.059 --> 00:34:44.099 at George and says, 00:34:44.240 --> 00:34:44.460 George, 00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:46.079 I am not weighing your merits. 00:34:46.200 --> 00:34:47.000 I never weighed them 00:34:47.000 --> 00:34:47.700 for a moment. 00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:49.820 I mean, George, 00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:51.019 how could I weigh your merits? 00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:52.320 Didn't you just tell everybody 00:34:52.320 --> 00:34:53.660 how irate you were 00:34:53.660 --> 00:34:54.559 a week ago 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:55.320 that you couldn't 00:34:55.320 --> 00:34:56.000 even function? 00:34:57.240 --> 00:34:58.620 You should be so glad 00:34:58.620 --> 00:34:59.780 that I do not count 00:34:59.780 --> 00:35:00.460 your merits 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:01.460 because, George, 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:02.940 you would, 00:35:03.360 --> 00:35:06.260 you'd be up a creek, 00:35:06.680 --> 00:35:06.920 you know, 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:07.740 the type of creek 00:35:07.740 --> 00:35:08.820 you go up without a paddle. 00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:10.340 That would be you, George. 00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:11.380 But no, 00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:12.460 I've done it all. 00:35:12.580 --> 00:35:14.300 I'm calling you 00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:14.980 to live out of 00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:15.660 what I have done 00:35:15.660 --> 00:35:16.700 and what I have promised. 00:35:17.360 --> 00:35:18.000 And so receive 00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:18.580 the good news 00:35:18.580 --> 00:35:19.260 about the person 00:35:19.260 --> 00:35:19.620 and work 00:35:19.620 --> 00:35:20.160 and promises 00:35:20.160 --> 00:35:21.300 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:22.140 and be formed. 00:35:22.320 --> 00:35:23.800 and his compassion 00:35:23.800 --> 00:35:25.440 for the hoi polloi. 00:35:27.340 --> 00:35:28.460 We are to be formed 00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:29.180 by Christ, 00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:30.140 not by Herod. 00:35:30.660 --> 00:35:31.780 The world will try 00:35:31.780 --> 00:35:32.360 to form us 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:33.080 into Herod. 00:35:34.180 --> 00:35:35.180 But as the gospel 00:35:35.180 --> 00:35:36.300 becomes more real, 00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:38.600 it should lead us 00:35:38.600 --> 00:35:40.039 to have a great compassion 00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:40.920 for the hoi polloi 00:35:40.920 --> 00:35:42.080 and not just the hoi polloi 00:35:42.080 --> 00:35:42.960 for our own city, 00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:44.519 but the hoi polloi 00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:45.200 in Guatemala. 00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:47.880 Hoi polloi, 00:35:49.200 --> 00:35:50.900 the forgotten refugees 00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:52.420 and the forgotten wars. 00:35:54.800 --> 00:35:56.079 And then one final thing, 00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:56.760 if you could put up 00:35:56.760 --> 00:35:57.420 the final point. 00:36:00.559 --> 00:36:02.619 There's a profound question 00:36:02.619 --> 00:36:03.720 in this text 00:36:03.720 --> 00:36:05.200 and a profound thing 00:36:05.200 --> 00:36:06.059 that takes place 00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:06.840 in this text. 00:36:07.220 --> 00:36:08.059 And, you know, 00:36:08.119 --> 00:36:10.099 often it's when we think about it, 00:36:10.119 --> 00:36:10.660 we see it and go, 00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:11.119 oh yeah, 00:36:11.260 --> 00:36:11.700 but you see, 00:36:11.780 --> 00:36:12.980 part of what the gospel does 00:36:12.980 --> 00:36:13.680 and the Bible does 00:36:13.680 --> 00:36:14.340 in forming us 00:36:14.340 --> 00:36:15.059 is it forms us 00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:15.800 without us necessarily 00:36:15.800 --> 00:36:16.559 realizing it. 00:36:16.860 --> 00:36:17.559 But in a sense, 00:36:17.639 --> 00:36:18.500 this question is given 00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:19.480 to us all the time. 00:36:19.960 --> 00:36:21.039 We see a need, 00:36:21.559 --> 00:36:22.420 like I see a need. 00:36:22.500 --> 00:36:23.360 We're hoping to bring 00:36:23.360 --> 00:36:24.500 John Owen as an intern 00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:25.780 and part of what we want to do 00:36:25.780 --> 00:36:26.599 is try to reboot 00:36:26.599 --> 00:36:27.079 our ministry 00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:27.840 to the university 00:36:27.840 --> 00:36:28.500 and we can look 00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:29.139 at the university 00:36:29.139 --> 00:36:29.880 and say we would love 00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:30.500 to begin to have 00:36:30.500 --> 00:36:31.860 a ministry once again 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:33.480 to university students 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:34.940 once they really open up 00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:35.639 and not just Ottawa, 00:36:35.719 --> 00:36:36.340 you down the road 00:36:36.340 --> 00:36:37.360 for Carlton. 00:36:38.159 --> 00:36:38.679 And you know, 00:36:38.719 --> 00:36:39.239 at the other hand, 00:36:39.400 --> 00:36:40.579 where we meet 00:36:40.579 --> 00:36:41.400 on a Sunday morning, 00:36:41.500 --> 00:36:42.480 we could also say, 00:36:42.699 --> 00:36:43.820 and maybe he at some point 00:36:43.820 --> 00:36:44.139 in time said, 00:36:44.199 --> 00:36:45.199 we need to have a heart 00:36:45.199 --> 00:36:46.539 for all the embassies 00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:48.539 or we need to have a heart 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:50.199 for all of the new Canadians 00:36:50.199 --> 00:36:51.679 and all of the poor 00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:53.239 and those afflicted 00:36:53.239 --> 00:36:54.119 and in danger 00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:55.139 of gang violence 00:36:55.139 --> 00:36:56.919 or maybe he's calling us 00:36:56.919 --> 00:36:57.579 to have a heart 00:36:57.579 --> 00:36:58.359 for the arts 00:36:58.359 --> 00:36:59.259 and entertainment 00:36:59.259 --> 00:37:00.919 and bar world 00:37:00.919 --> 00:37:02.960 or maybe he's calling us 00:37:02.960 --> 00:37:03.579 to have a heart 00:37:03.579 --> 00:37:05.099 for Parliament Hill 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:07.799 and all the civil servants 00:37:07.799 --> 00:37:08.619 which will eventually 00:37:08.619 --> 00:37:09.779 return at least occasionally 00:37:09.779 --> 00:37:10.619 to the office. 00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:14.940 And we can look at it 00:37:14.940 --> 00:37:15.239 and say, 00:37:15.359 --> 00:37:16.739 we don't have the resources 00:37:16.739 --> 00:37:17.699 to do any of that. 00:37:18.880 --> 00:37:19.759 And Jesus said, 00:37:19.799 --> 00:37:20.179 yeah, that's what 00:37:20.179 --> 00:37:21.000 the story's about. 00:37:22.199 --> 00:37:22.940 You don't. 00:37:24.019 --> 00:37:25.319 You don't have the resources. 00:37:28.619 --> 00:37:29.199 You never, 00:37:29.319 --> 00:37:31.799 you're never going to have 00:37:31.799 --> 00:37:32.420 the resources. 00:37:35.779 --> 00:37:36.619 Like in a sense, 00:37:36.719 --> 00:37:37.480 stop thinking about 00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:38.079 your resources. 00:37:38.940 --> 00:37:39.159 I mean, 00:37:39.179 --> 00:37:40.099 we have to pass budgets 00:37:40.099 --> 00:37:40.739 and I'm not saying 00:37:40.739 --> 00:37:41.239 we should pass 00:37:41.239 --> 00:37:42.659 a $10 million budget. 00:37:43.759 --> 00:37:44.599 That would be called 00:37:44.599 --> 00:37:45.400 presumption. 00:37:48.460 --> 00:37:49.119 But you see, 00:37:49.199 --> 00:37:49.819 you do not have 00:37:49.819 --> 00:37:50.380 the resources 00:37:50.380 --> 00:37:51.699 to feed the hoi polloi, 00:37:51.799 --> 00:37:52.659 but you can trust 00:37:52.659 --> 00:37:53.980 and do what the one 00:37:53.980 --> 00:37:54.779 who can feed 00:37:54.779 --> 00:37:55.579 the hoi polloi 00:37:55.579 --> 00:37:56.619 tells you to do. 00:37:58.179 --> 00:37:58.380 See, 00:37:58.420 --> 00:37:59.079 isn't that what's going on 00:37:59.079 --> 00:37:59.519 in the story? 00:38:01.159 --> 00:38:01.819 The disciples 00:38:01.819 --> 00:38:02.779 don't have the resources 00:38:02.779 --> 00:38:03.920 to feed the hoi polloi. 00:38:04.339 --> 00:38:04.839 What does Jesus 00:38:04.839 --> 00:38:05.579 ask them to do? 00:38:06.739 --> 00:38:07.839 Take what I've given you 00:38:07.839 --> 00:38:09.239 and just start 00:38:09.239 --> 00:38:09.799 giving it out. 00:38:10.099 --> 00:38:12.299 And the disciples 00:38:12.299 --> 00:38:13.239 had nothing to do 00:38:13.239 --> 00:38:14.639 whatsoever with the miracle. 00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:15.719 It was all God. 00:38:15.880 --> 00:38:16.799 It was all Christ. 00:38:17.019 --> 00:38:18.139 It was all his grace. 00:38:18.279 --> 00:38:19.779 It's always only his grace. 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:21.500 All things come of you 00:38:21.500 --> 00:38:22.159 and of your own 00:38:22.159 --> 00:38:22.880 have I given you 00:38:22.880 --> 00:38:23.880 and there is no other way 00:38:23.880 --> 00:38:25.000 to live the Christian life. 00:38:26.279 --> 00:38:27.639 All things come of you 00:38:27.639 --> 00:38:28.380 and of your own 00:38:28.380 --> 00:38:29.239 have I given you. 00:38:30.259 --> 00:38:31.659 And that's the means of grace. 00:38:32.299 --> 00:38:33.460 You trust him at his word 00:38:33.460 --> 00:38:34.299 and you take those 00:38:34.299 --> 00:38:35.739 small steps of faith, 00:38:35.839 --> 00:38:36.719 maybe with faith, 00:38:36.719 --> 00:38:37.599 which is this, 00:38:38.019 --> 00:38:39.000 the distance between 00:38:39.000 --> 00:38:41.059 my finger and my thumb. 00:38:44.459 --> 00:38:44.759 You know, 00:38:44.779 --> 00:38:46.239 but taking a thing 00:38:46.239 --> 00:38:47.159 off of Nightbird 00:38:47.159 --> 00:38:48.899 who died over the last week, 00:38:48.980 --> 00:38:49.419 some of you know 00:38:49.419 --> 00:38:50.299 who I'm referring to 00:38:50.299 --> 00:38:51.719 and if you've seen that thing 00:38:51.719 --> 00:38:52.679 in America's Got Talent, 00:38:52.759 --> 00:38:53.480 I'm sort of playing 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:54.439 with what she said 00:38:54.439 --> 00:38:55.980 when afterward she said 00:38:55.980 --> 00:38:57.299 she only had a 2% chance 00:38:57.299 --> 00:38:57.919 of survival 00:38:57.919 --> 00:38:58.619 but she says 00:38:58.619 --> 00:38:59.579 with this big smile 00:38:59.579 --> 00:39:00.799 2% is not nothing 00:39:00.799 --> 00:39:01.579 and I wish you all knew 00:39:01.579 --> 00:39:02.579 how wonderful it was. 00:39:02.579 --> 00:39:04.159 And all I can tell you 00:39:04.159 --> 00:39:04.960 is if you have faith 00:39:04.960 --> 00:39:05.559 this much, 00:39:06.340 --> 00:39:07.219 that much faith 00:39:07.219 --> 00:39:08.579 is in nothing 00:39:08.579 --> 00:39:09.599 and I wish I could only 00:39:09.599 --> 00:39:10.920 tell you how wonderful it is. 00:39:15.420 --> 00:39:16.159 It's the difference 00:39:16.159 --> 00:39:17.259 between heaven and hell. 00:39:18.699 --> 00:39:19.440 It's the difference 00:39:19.440 --> 00:39:20.960 between being used by God 00:39:20.960 --> 00:39:22.799 and not. 00:39:23.880 --> 00:39:25.380 Your faith can be this small 00:39:25.380 --> 00:39:27.480 but it's wonderful. 00:39:29.259 --> 00:39:30.059 Please stand. 00:39:32.579 --> 00:39:37.380 Let's bow our heads 00:39:37.380 --> 00:39:37.840 in prayer. 00:39:38.840 --> 00:39:39.799 And if there's anyone here 00:39:39.799 --> 00:39:40.699 or any who are watching, 00:39:41.699 --> 00:39:43.059 if you feel a bit 00:39:43.059 --> 00:39:43.840 of a pressure 00:39:43.840 --> 00:39:44.639 that maybe 00:39:44.639 --> 00:39:45.980 you're not quite sure 00:39:45.980 --> 00:39:46.380 but you know 00:39:46.380 --> 00:39:47.559 it's directed towards Christ, 00:39:47.639 --> 00:39:48.360 I can tell you 00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:49.039 that what it is 00:39:49.039 --> 00:39:49.739 is if you've never 00:39:49.739 --> 00:39:51.019 actually just acknowledged 00:39:51.019 --> 00:39:52.699 that you want to belong 00:39:52.699 --> 00:39:53.299 to Christ 00:39:53.299 --> 00:39:54.579 then that's Jesus 00:39:54.579 --> 00:39:56.900 calling you. 00:39:58.719 --> 00:39:59.920 And all I can say 00:39:59.920 --> 00:40:01.259 is there's no better time 00:40:01.259 --> 00:40:02.440 than just to turn to him 00:40:02.440 --> 00:40:02.880 in prayer 00:40:02.880 --> 00:40:03.280 and say, 00:40:03.380 --> 00:40:03.639 Jesus, 00:40:03.780 --> 00:40:04.400 I want you to be 00:40:04.400 --> 00:40:05.559 my Savior and my Lord 00:40:05.559 --> 00:40:06.900 and I thank you 00:40:06.900 --> 00:40:07.460 that you will never 00:40:07.460 --> 00:40:08.119 let me go. 00:40:09.400 --> 00:40:10.019 And you know 00:40:10.019 --> 00:40:10.860 how terrible 00:40:10.860 --> 00:40:12.220 and crummy I am 00:40:12.220 --> 00:40:13.300 at keeping my commitments. 00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:14.420 I just give myself 00:40:14.420 --> 00:40:15.200 into your hands. 00:40:15.760 --> 00:40:16.500 Never let me go. 00:40:16.579 --> 00:40:17.260 There's no better time 00:40:17.260 --> 00:40:18.300 than today to pray that. 00:40:18.760 --> 00:40:19.700 And there's no better time 00:40:19.700 --> 00:40:20.980 for us to recommit to that. 00:40:21.059 --> 00:40:21.980 Not that we have to become 00:40:21.980 --> 00:40:23.360 Christians over and over again 00:40:23.360 --> 00:40:25.119 but every one of us 00:40:25.119 --> 00:40:26.179 needs to recommit 00:40:26.179 --> 00:40:26.619 and say, 00:40:26.740 --> 00:40:26.900 yeah, 00:40:27.079 --> 00:40:29.059 I've had an angry week 00:40:29.059 --> 00:40:32.639 or I've had a self-indulgent week 00:40:32.639 --> 00:40:34.360 or I've had a greedy week 00:40:34.360 --> 00:40:36.779 or I've had an envious week 00:40:36.779 --> 00:40:37.820 and I am so glad 00:40:37.820 --> 00:40:38.799 I can come and be 00:40:38.799 --> 00:40:39.500 in your presence, 00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:39.880 God, 00:40:39.960 --> 00:40:41.059 and receive grace 00:40:41.059 --> 00:40:42.619 from you again 00:40:42.619 --> 00:40:44.239 because I need it again 00:40:44.239 --> 00:40:45.279 and again and again. 00:40:46.500 --> 00:40:48.579 And I need to know 00:40:48.579 --> 00:40:49.179 my weakness 00:40:49.179 --> 00:40:50.279 and I need to know 00:40:50.279 --> 00:40:51.960 I need to be formed 00:40:51.960 --> 00:40:53.000 in compassion. 00:40:53.000 --> 00:40:55.719 I need to be formed 00:40:55.719 --> 00:40:56.420 in compassion. 00:40:56.659 --> 00:40:57.139 So let's pray. 00:40:59.840 --> 00:41:00.239 Father, 00:41:00.320 --> 00:41:01.199 thank you for Jesus. 00:41:02.219 --> 00:41:03.139 Thank you that God, 00:41:03.219 --> 00:41:03.900 the Son of God, 00:41:04.000 --> 00:41:04.820 came and walked 00:41:04.820 --> 00:41:06.380 among and amid 00:41:06.380 --> 00:41:07.539 his fallen creation. 00:41:07.739 --> 00:41:08.400 Thank you that he is 00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:09.219 truly Emmanuel. 00:41:09.760 --> 00:41:10.920 He was truly Emmanuel, 00:41:11.159 --> 00:41:11.860 God with us. 00:41:12.579 --> 00:41:13.519 That he came, 00:41:13.880 --> 00:41:13.960 Father, 00:41:14.099 --> 00:41:14.800 and revealed 00:41:14.800 --> 00:41:16.039 at the depths 00:41:16.039 --> 00:41:16.900 of your compassion 00:41:16.900 --> 00:41:17.760 and love and care 00:41:17.760 --> 00:41:18.280 for us. 00:41:19.380 --> 00:41:20.500 That he died for us 00:41:20.500 --> 00:41:21.199 as our Savior. 00:41:21.440 --> 00:41:22.440 That he is the one 00:41:22.440 --> 00:41:23.639 who is our hope of glory. 00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:25.460 That he alone 00:41:25.460 --> 00:41:26.039 is the one 00:41:26.039 --> 00:41:27.000 who has done everything 00:41:27.000 --> 00:41:27.920 that has to be done 00:41:27.920 --> 00:41:29.039 to make us right with you 00:41:29.039 --> 00:41:30.119 and fit us for heaven. 00:41:30.320 --> 00:41:30.980 And Father, 00:41:31.039 --> 00:41:32.539 we ask that these stories 00:41:32.539 --> 00:41:33.240 and Jesus 00:41:33.240 --> 00:41:34.119 and who he is, 00:41:34.159 --> 00:41:34.760 that they would become 00:41:34.760 --> 00:41:35.579 more and more real 00:41:35.579 --> 00:41:36.480 to our hearts 00:41:36.480 --> 00:41:38.900 so that they would form us. 00:41:39.119 --> 00:41:39.260 Father, 00:41:39.320 --> 00:41:40.019 we don't want to be 00:41:40.019 --> 00:41:40.760 people of anger. 00:41:40.860 --> 00:41:41.519 We do want to be 00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:42.519 people of compassion. 00:41:42.659 --> 00:41:43.559 We want to be people 00:41:43.559 --> 00:41:45.079 whose compassion 00:41:45.079 --> 00:41:46.099 doesn't overwhelm 00:41:46.099 --> 00:41:46.740 their justice 00:41:46.740 --> 00:41:47.720 or their truth 00:41:47.720 --> 00:41:48.920 or the sense 00:41:48.920 --> 00:41:49.740 of right and wrong. 00:41:49.860 --> 00:41:50.179 But Father, 00:41:50.240 --> 00:41:51.039 we want to approach 00:41:51.039 --> 00:41:51.559 these things 00:41:51.559 --> 00:41:52.500 out of compassion 00:41:52.500 --> 00:41:53.960 and out of being 00:41:53.960 --> 00:41:55.099 just resting in you. 00:41:55.219 --> 00:41:55.559 And Father, 00:41:55.639 --> 00:41:57.460 we ask that your Holy Spirit 00:41:57.460 --> 00:41:58.279 would move and work 00:41:58.279 --> 00:41:59.199 in us as individuals 00:41:59.199 --> 00:42:00.360 and us as a congregation 00:42:00.360 --> 00:42:01.659 that that would be true of us. 00:42:02.420 --> 00:42:02.880 And Father, 00:42:03.039 --> 00:42:04.119 help us to be attentive 00:42:04.119 --> 00:42:05.579 to how you would have us 00:42:05.579 --> 00:42:07.400 minister to the hoi ploi 00:42:07.400 --> 00:42:07.900 of the world 00:42:07.900 --> 00:42:08.980 for your great glory, 00:42:10.039 --> 00:42:10.840 trusting that you would 00:42:10.840 --> 00:42:11.820 provide the resources 00:42:11.820 --> 00:42:13.159 as we step out in faith. 00:42:13.820 --> 00:42:15.059 And we ask all these things 00:42:15.059 --> 00:42:15.920 in the name of Jesus 00:42:15.920 --> 00:42:17.239 and all God's people said, 00:42:18.019 --> 00:42:18.239 Amen.