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August 9, 2009
Which Comes First, Hunger Or Thirst?
John 6:35,41-51
JHines
Hunger or thirst. These are two related ideas. Whenever the Bible mentions two of anything, it is a way of illuminating, emphasizing, or signaling that an important choice is about to be made. Timing is illuminated when we note Judas and Nicodemus traveled at night as opposed to the day; one toward Jesus and the other away from Jesus.
Gold and silver are used scripturally to emphasize that it is greater to always be in the presence of God -which is gold instead- of settling for simply being satisfied that a sacrifice was made for our redemption -which is silver- and arrangements are made for us to be saved from the destruction brought about by our sins.
When we hear names such as Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Mary and Martha, the scripture is signaling that God has lain out important choices before all of them.
John’s gospel opens up a conversation about hunger and thirst. Two choices. Obviously, we know that water is more critical to our well-being than food. On the average a person can go 40 days without food, but only three days without water. Knowing this fact helps us make certain choices.
So, it is not by accident that Jesus says if you come to me, you will never be hungry. But, listen to the second option as Jesus ups the ante – if you believe in me, you will never be thirsty.
How I love the sanctuaries of our Catholic brothers and sisters who often have statues of the disciples, the saints, and Jesus for me to see with my own eyes. There is a comfort in coming to Jesus through symbols or through whatever path that leads to Him.
In vacation bible school I watched as Mary Lou Keim dressed as Mary the Mother of James and Joses invited the children to come walk with her to the tomb of the resurrection. Their eyes were big as saucers as they watched her with rapt attention, and in spite of all the chatter and excitement from Jake, Luke, and Justin just a few feet away at the science table, not one of them became distracted. They all jumped up from their seats to join her with an enthusiasm that was priceless. God helped us in many ways this week to help the children come and see Jesus for themselves.
The disciples came to Jesus. They were always in his presence. and from time to time he would ask them, “Where is your faith?” In other words, “You are with me, but what are you doing to show that you believe I am who I say I am?” What are you doing that shows that you know that I am God, I love you, I care about you, and you can trust me in the tough times as well as the good times. What are you doing? Where is your faith? He wanted them to always grow, develop and increase their faith.
At times, the early disciple’s faith, like our faith, was more in their circumstances than in Jesus. When they saw only two loaves and a one fish, they dared not see that God could provide for many as well as a few. When they saw the cross, they dared not order Easter flowers. When they could not see at all because the tears of their sorrows and hardships overshadowed their view, they dared not listen for the still small voice of comfort from the one who hears our every cry.
When we come to Jesus we are fed until we hunger no more, but if we work and put our trust in him, a more critical transformation is made deep within our souls until we thirst no more.
Where is your faith? Which comes first for you – satisfying your deepest hunger or more critically satisfying your thirst? Amen.
