Tag: Healing and hope

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Five Loaves and Two Fish

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 9:10-17. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on July 14, 2024.

In the early days of my Bible school years in British Columbia, one of the most memorable experiences was the annual Temple Tour. We would visit various religious temples in Vancouver, including places for Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Hare Krishna. One of the standout moments was our stop at the Sikh temple, or Gurdwara, where we participated in Langar – the practice of serving a free, communal meal to all. This meal, served 24 hours a day, is a reflection of Sikh values of equality and service, with everyone sitting together on the ground, regardless of age, gender, or background. I remember learning that Langar serves not only as a charitable meal but as a global practice, with many travelers depending on it for sustenance. The Gurdwara in New Delhi, for example, feeds 35-40 thousand people daily, with numbers skyrocketing during religious holidays.

The sight of so many people being fed in such an organized manner brought to mind the feeding miracle of Jesus that we find in Luke 9:10-17. This miracle offers a striking glimpse into the power and provision of Jesus, and also serves as a reminder of His identity as the Messiah. In this passage, after the apostles return from their mission, Jesus seeks to give them rest, only to be met by a crowd eager to hear from Him. As the day grows long and the crowd grows larger, the disciples realize that they face a problem: they have nothing to feed the people. In verse 12, they ask Jesus to send the crowd away to find food in nearby towns. But Jesus responds, “You give them something to eat” (Luke 9:13).

The disciples’ initial response is understandable: they have only five loaves of bread and two fish, insufficient to feed a crowd of thousands. In fact, in the parallel account in John, Philip points out that even 200 denarii—about seven months’ wages—wouldn’t be enough to buy food for everyone. But Jesus, undeterred, has them seat the people in groups of fifty, and He miraculously multiplies the food. The result? Every person is fed until they are satisfied, and twelve baskets of leftovers are gathered up (Luke 9:16-17).

This miracle is significant for a couple of reasons. First, it highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets. In the Old Testament, God provided manna in the wilderness through Moses (Exodus 16:14-18) and fed a hundred men through Elisha (2 Kings 4:42-44). But unlike Moses and Elisha, who acted as conduits for God’s provision, Jesus Himself provides. He is greater than both; He is the Messiah, the Christ of God (Luke 9:20).

In light of this miracle, we also see that provision ministries, like those of the Gurdwara or the various charities that spring up during the holidays, hold significant value. But we must remember that these ministries must ultimately point to the cross. Providing for people’s physical needs is essential, but it must also lead to sharing the gospel—the true “bread of life” (John 6:35). As 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 reminds us, we are ambassadors for Christ, calling people to be reconciled to God, not just to receive food or shelter.

The feeding of the 5,000 points to Jesus’ ultimate provision—His sacrifice on the cross. The language of blessing and breaking bread in Luke 9 echoes the words Jesus spoke at the Last Supper: “This is my body, which is given for you” (Luke 22:19). Just as Jesus fed the crowd, He offers Himself to us as the ultimate provision for our spiritual needs.

As we engage in ministries of provision, let’s remember the source of all provision—God Himself. Just as He provided manna in the wilderness and multiplied the loaves and fish, He continues to provide for us today. Philippians 4:19 assures us, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” As we minister, let’s keep our eyes fixed on the cross, where God’s provision was made most fully known.

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Waiting on Jesus

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 8:40-56. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on September 15, 2024.

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 8, we encounter a remarkable “two-for-one special” of miracles that reveal Jesus’ authority over disease and death. These intertwined stories—Jairus’ desperate plea for his dying daughter and a woman’s silent, faith-driven act of healing—teach us profound lessons about waiting on Jesus.

When Jesus returned to Galilee, a crowd eagerly awaited Him. Among them was Jairus, a synagogue ruler—a man of status and influence. Yet, this respected leader fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading for his only daughter, a twelve-year-old girl on the brink of death (Luke 8:40-42). Imagine a person of immense dignity, like a grandfather in his finest attire, abandoning all decorum to beg in public. Jairus, in his desperation, cast aside pride, status, and likely even the risk of alienation from other Jewish leaders who were wary of Jesus.

As Jesus agreed to go with him, hope must have swelled in Jairus’ heart. But their journey was interrupted. A woman, suffering from a twelve-year-long discharge of blood, reached out in silent faith to touch the fringe of Jesus’ garment. She had spent all her resources on doctors, to no avail, and lived as a social and religious outcast due to her condition (Luke 8:43-44; Leviticus 15:25-27). Her faith was bold yet humble—believing that even the slightest touch of Jesus’ garment could heal her.

Immediately, her bleeding stopped, and Jesus, knowing power had gone out from Him, asked, “Who was it that touched me?” (Luke 8:45-46). Amid the pressing crowd, the woman stepped forward, trembling, and shared her story. Jesus’ response was profound: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace” (Luke 8:48). With this, He restored not only her health but also her dignity and place in the community.

But imagine Jairus in this moment—watching precious time slip away as Jesus stopped for someone else. His worst fears were realized when messengers arrived, saying his daughter had died. “Do not trouble the Teacher anymore,” they said (Luke 8:49). Yet Jesus turned to Jairus with reassurance: “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well” (Luke 8:50). Despite the mourners’ laughter at His declaration that the girl was “not dead but sleeping,” Jesus entered the house, took her hand, and said, “Child, arise.” Her spirit returned, and she got up immediately (Luke 8:52-55).

Both Jairus and the bleeding woman show us the power of faith in the face of desperation. Jairus teaches us to trust in Jesus’ timing, even when it feels delayed. The woman reminds us that faith often takes bold, even unconventional, steps. And through both, we see that Jesus’ authority transcends human limitations. His timing is perfect, and His power is sufficient.

As we wait on the Lord in our own lives, let us remember His words: “Do not fear; only believe.” Whatever delays or interruptions we face, His plans for us are always for good (Jeremiah 29:11). Let us wait with faith, trusting that He will act in His perfect time.

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The Widow’s Son

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 7:11-16. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on June 16, 2024.

In our journey through the Gospel of Luke, we’ve been exploring a series of messages that reveal the heart of Jesus and the principles of His Kingdom. These teachings, often referred to as the “Upside-Down Kingdom,” challenge the world’s expectations, flipping conventional wisdom on its head. Jesus’ sermon on the plain, which echoes the more famous Sermon on the Mount, is filled with teachings that call us to live in ways that seem contrary to our natural inclinations—blessing the poor, loving our enemies, and turning the other cheek.

This theme of an upside-down Kingdom is not just limited to His teachings but is also vividly demonstrated in His interactions with those who were often considered outsiders. One such instance occurs in Luke 7:1-10, where Jesus encounters a Roman centurion seeking healing for his servant. The centurion, a representative of the very empire oppressing the Jews, demonstrates a faith that amazes even Jesus. This story sets the stage for the next encounter, which takes place in a small, insignificant village called Nain.

The Village of Nain: A Scene of Sorrow

In Luke 7:11-12, we find Jesus entering Nain, a small village about 10 kilometers southeast of Nazareth. This village was so small that it likely had only a few hundred inhabitants. Jesus, perhaps just passing through, encounters a funeral procession at the town gate. The scene is one of profound sorrow: a widow is burying her only son. The text emphasizes her plight, saying, “As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her” (Luke 7:12, ESV).

This verse is often considered one of the most tragic in the Bible. The loss of a child is a sorrow that few can comprehend, and for this widow, the pain is compounded by the fact that she has already buried her husband. In the ancient world, a woman without a husband or son would face economic destitution, relying entirely on male relatives for her livelihood. This widow, now bereft of both her husband and her only son, faces an uncertain and bleak future.

The Compassion of Jesus

As the funeral procession moves forward, Jesus sees the widow and is moved with compassion. Luke 7:13-15 records, “And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother” (ESV).

What is striking about this passage is how focused Jesus is on the widow. Despite the considerable crowd and the commotion of the funeral, Jesus zeroes in on her suffering. He doesn’t just observe; He acts. His compassion moves Him to intervene in a way that changes everything for this woman. In the grand scheme of Jesus’ mission, one might wonder what difference this miracle made. But this is precisely the point—Jesus’ ministry is not just about grand, world-changing events; it’s also about the individual, the marginalized, and the forgotten.

Jesus’ actions in Nain remind us that He is deeply compassionate, entering into our grief and suffering. This compassion is not just a response to the widow’s sorrow but a reflection of the Father’s heart. Jesus makes it clear that His actions are a direct expression of the Father’s will, saying in John 14:9-10, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?” (ESV).

Our Confidence in Christ’s Compassion

The compassion of Christ is a source of immense comfort for us. He understands our pain, and because of this, we can approach Him with confidence, knowing that He will meet us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16 encourages us with these words: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (ESV).

This assurance is beautifully captured in Matthew 11:28-29, where Jesus invites us, saying, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (ESV).

As we reflect on the compassion of Christ, especially on a day like Father’s Day, we are reminded that this compassion is a reflection of the Father’s love for us. Psalm 103:13-14 declares, “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust” (ESV).

May we, in turn, be moved by this same compassion in our own lives, reaching out to those who are hurting, just as Jesus did.