Christ the Lord of All | Holy Week DevotionalSample

In his book For the Life of the World, Alexander Schmemann argues that gratitude is the most appropriate and natural response that we could have to God’s gift of life and the world that sustains us. God has created a beautiful place of abundant marvels, and the biblical story begins with him giving it to us. Yet we often take things for granted. Paul says one of the hallmarks of rejecting God is taking things for granted: “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Rom. 1:21).

It’s easy to become so accustomed to daily life that spectacular truths we encounter go unappreciated. Consider the sun. There isn’t anything more ordinary than seeing the sun (though it’s best not to stare). Pausing for even a moment to consider all that the sun does and means for our lives—it’s anything but ordinary.

All life on earth is sustained by this flaming star, ninety-three million miles away. If the sun were a different size, or any closer or farther away, our world would be a barren wasteland, either of fire or ice. In the scorching sun, you can fry eggs on the sidewalk. Too much sun and the land becomes cracked and dry. But the sun is also what feeds us—all of us. Plant life, which becomes food for all other animals, draws solar energy into the earth, using it to blossom, to fruit, and to fill the earth. As it happens, all of our lives are already solar-powered.

Imagine, what it would be like if the sun were to take on flesh, being born among us as a man. What kind of man would he be? What glorious and dreadful powers might he have? Can we even conceive of such a man?

In our passage today, Jesus demonstrated two wondrous signs. After crossing the Sea of Galilee, a multitude gathered to meet him. John tells us that they gathered because they had heard of his signs and his healings. They came seeking gifts. With women and children, there may have been as many as ten thousand. Jesus told his disciples to provide food for everyone. The disciples were rightly aghast! While everyone was overwhelmed by their lack, Jesus took five loaves and two fish, thanked God for the good gifts that they had been given, broke the bread, and began distributing it. By the time they were finished, every belly was filled, with a basket left over for each of his disciples.

That evening his disciples witnessed an even greater sign, and one more terrifying. After Jesus had drawn away to pray, the disciples traveled by boat across the Sea of Galilee. As they went, a storm began to batter them, but in the midst of the storm, they saw Jesus coming toward them on the waves. At first, they were terrified. Bread is one thing but this is another altogether. In their fear, the word of the Lord came to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” And once he reached them, John tells us that the boat immediately appeared at their destination because Christ had willed it so.

We must be careful that we are not like the crowds. Jesus challenged their hearts, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him, God the Father has placed his seal of approval” (John 6:26-27).

They had a certain zeal for Jesus and even wanted to make him king by force. They had grand visions. They knew that there would be an abundant future for them if Israel had a king that could multiply food and upgrade water into wine. But their grand visions were limited to an earthly focus. They only wanted Jesus to be king because their stomachs were filled by his wonder bread. They treated Jesus with a kind of honor, but they gave him that honor because he could provide them with strategic benefits. At most, they saw him as a super-man, like what the sun might be if it walked among us. Their vision was far too limited.

In Christ Jesus, the one who created all things and sustains them by the power of his word came into history; calming storms and walking on water. The one who designed the cosmos—galaxies beyond count—and who imagined every living creature came to dwell among us; and make us fit to dwell in God’s presence. The one who set the sun in its place and ignited its life-giving power came to pour out his Spirit like fire upon his disciples. Jesus is the Lord of nature—the very bread sent from heaven—the true source of all life; come to bring new life to the world he created.

When we consider who Jesus truly is and what he has done for us, we come to see that we have no reason to fear, but every reason to give him thanks. What we have, what little it may be, is a gift from his hand. The one who promises to be with us always is the one who created all things. And the love he has for us, however humble or insignificant we may seem or sometimes feel, was so great that he was willing to endure the cross to secure our redemption. All that is his becomes ours as a gift, given to all who trust in him. Let us rejoice! And may we keep our daily feasts, remembering all that we have been given.

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