No Free Lunches!

“There are no free lunches!” These pointed words of life-preparatory advice have echoed down through many generations as parents seek to motivate youngsters, employers seek to stimulate employees, and professors seek to educate learners. “There are no free lunches!” But…that has not ALWAYS been the case.

I’ll bet that after a while, even the simple task of gathering it up stirred some complaining and family tension. “Mom, why do I have to get it today? Josie NEVER has to get up early to collect the manna!” Or…”Are you kidding me? Didn’t we eat manna YESTERDAY? Manna! Manna! Manna! It seems like all we ever get to eat around here is manna!”

But it was free, it was faithful, it was always there. Every morning the landscape was clothed in manna. There was no need for any fighting, like a Black Friday electronics special. There was more than enough for everybody. It turns out, there really WAS a “free lunch!”

But that was then. What about now?

They started to gather early that morning and the crowd just kept increasing. The longer He taught them, the larger the crowd became. But unlike in the days of Joshua, the sun did not stand still, so hungry hearts soon became conscious of their hungry stomachs. Runza® had not franchised there and barbequed pulled pork was not on their diet. Jimmy Johns® was fast…but they had a delivery distance limit that did not extend to the shores of Galilee (besides, someone would likely have tried to order a Slim #1 with its ham and cheese…a serious “No-No!”)

But one boy’s mom had planned ahead and sent him a small lunch. Andrew sniffed it out and kept his eye on that kid JUST in case. Jesus had the disciples seat them orderly and, having thanked His Father for the abundant provision, began breaking the bread and having the guys start waiting tables. The more bread they gave away, the more bread He provided. He sort of had an early version of Red Robin’s® bottomless fries and root beer floats thing going. He just kept handing it out until finally the whole crowd pushed back from their tables and said, “Thank you, but I can’t eat another bite!” Turns out there really WAS a “free lunch!”

A good experience always motivates a repeat performance. So they made their way across the top of the lake and over to Capernaum, hoping to keep this “free lunch” train going. When they found Him, He looked right past their stomachs and into their hearts. “You seek me because you ate the loaves and were filled.” (John 6) With that great insight, He turned their attention to a hunger they had not previously considered. “I am the Bread come down out of heaven. He who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst!”

There really WAS a “free lunch!” But they had lost their appetites. “As a result of this many of disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.”

“There is no free lunch.” Well, actually there is. But to receive it you have to realize that you are truly hungry!

See you Sunday, Church on the Green!

Pastor Tom