Boats from Tiberius

Order of Events

John 6:1-15 Feeding of the 5,000

Location near Capernaum

John 6:16-21

Jesus walks on Water to Disciples

Land in Capernaum

John 6:22-27 Gospel of Today

Boats from Tiberius

Existential question: What am I working for?

Tiberias

Founded by Herod Antipas (Son of Herod the Great, who tried to kill Jesus after his birth), established about 10 years before Jesus’ ministry

Built in honor of Roman Emperor Tiberius…Intended to be the best city…everything you need in one place

Intention/theory were very different than reality.

Populating the city

Attracted the rich, because it was the capitol city and for the emperor

Some Galileans were forced

Admitted poor people

Bond servants to who he released and gave land to on the condition they would stay in the city

Tiberias was built over a burial site…Violating ritual laws of purity for Jews.

City of entertainment and indulgences…amphitheater for 5,000 ppl.

NO SURPRISE: Huge economic divides, multiple factions and waves of unrest

State of constant comparison and measuring up

Fight for status

Pursuit of entertainment

Moral compromise

When you run the rat race for so long you naturally ask the question: What I am I doing all this for? (Existential question)

In trying to answer the question we will employ the methods that got us into the problem to get us out as well but it doesn’t work.

When the struggling people of Tiberius tasted and heard of the food made by Christ they went running.

The existential challenge

Checking our motivations

John 6:25–26 NRSV

25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.

We are easily deceived by our motivations

They live in the shadows of our conscious and they are extremely powerful

Christ knows them and as a loving father should do, He challenges us to examine our motivations

Seeing the real challenge

John 6:27 NRSV

27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.”

Wake up call to see the end result of living with un-governed motivations…perpetual hunger, dissatisfaction,

Reorient ourselves to working towards our eternal salvation. Taking on a life that mirrors Christ. A life that is focused on relationships because in relationships we experience and bring to life the virtues that bring meaning to what we do.

Receiving of forgiveness and the giving of forgiveness

.....compassion.....

....generously receiving and generously giving....

experiencing the patience of God ....paying it forward