"Life Without Fast Food" - Mark 6:30-44 - July 20, 2003

Last year MacDonald’s was sued by a woman who claimed the fast food chain had made her son become overweight. She claimed that MacDonald’s hamburgers contain little nutrition and too many fat grams. She also claimed that their marketing techniques were enticing young people to consume their products which contributed to her son’s obesity. Much to no one’s surprise the case was thrown out.

Sadly, however the case reflects much of the way our society lives. We don’t eat right. We frequently eat on the run. We are always in a hurry and we don’t take time to rest and be refreshed.

Our story in Mark opens with the recommendation by Jesus that the disciples find a quiet place and rest. They had been working hard, teaching, preaching and doing missionary work. They had been so busy they didn’t have time to eat. In those days they didn’t have the luxury of convenient stores and fast-food restaurants. To make matters worse people were coming and going because of the popularity of Jesus.

Just about everyone I know can relate to this story. Few people build in intentional relaxation time into their busy schedules. Some see "idle" time as wasteful or non-productive. Others just don’t have the time. Many don’t give themselves permission to rest and relax.

Unfortunately Jesus and his disciples reach their deserted place but it isn’t deserted. There is a "throng’ of people there. Jesus has compassion on them and says, "they are like sheep without a shepherd." In other words, they are lost, confused, hopeless and hungry. They need spiritual nourishment, pastoral care, assurance, hope and love. He then "teaches them many things."

Opportunities for rest and relaxation provide "teachable moments." This is why we have workshops and camp programs. Time away from the problems of home provide an arena whereby we can learn. Even vacations can offer the opportunity to learn new things, provided we don’t rush from place to place and wear ourselves out driving long distances.

My summer sailing trip to the Chespeake Bay always includes a night in St. Michael’s, Maryland on the Eastern shore. This year, for the very first time, we docked at the Maritime Museum. They provide a few docks for transient boaters. During our stay there we had the opportunity to observe some carpenters restoring old sailing ships. They were using methods from the past including antique tools and methods. We were captivated by their skill and dedication. But we also observed that every once in a while they would quit working, drink coffee and have conversations. Instead of being driven by schedules and deadlines and profit margins, they were driven by friendship, history and the value of making a contribution, but at a leisurely pace.

Leisure time can be inspiring and teach us lessons. Why the big rush? What’s the hurry?

Jesus sensed the worried faces and hungry souls. The masses needed comfort and hope. No need to send them away to the towns and villages to find food either, the disciples would feed them. Thus, the event became not only an opportunity for Jesus to teach the masses, it became yet another opportunity for the disciples to learn a valuable lesson.

The disciples gather up what food they can find but it isn’t enough to feed everyone. So Jesus took what they had found, blessed it and had the disciples distribute it. Amazingly, everyone is satisfied and there was plenty left over. Why?

I believe its because the crowd was now less anxious. Jesus had attended to their souls which made their worrying about supper a very minor problem. They had already received their meal, this was nothing more than a snack or desert. With just a few resources (of food) all the masses were satisfied. The disciples, who were hungry, no longer talked about being hungry. In other words, everyone received spiritual refreshment which nurtured their souls.

On the one hand there are times when we need to take breaks and get away from the maddening crowd. On the other hand, feeding the spiritual needs of others can be satisfying also. I recently had a conversation with an elderly woman who visits her husband in a retirement home every day. She also visits other residents who have no relatives or friends. When asked if the visits drained her she replied, "O no, in fact visiting others refreshes me and nourishes me."

Time away is necessary for learning. At the same time refreshment can also occur when we are feeding the spiritual needs of people who are lonely and hungry for love. Jesus had earned his time of rest, but because of his compassion he interrupted that time to tend to the needs of the masses.

A young family was moving to a new house. On moving day, Joe announced that an important meeting had been called at his new job, and he would be unable to help. Consequently, Jean had to handle the move by herself. After the moving van came and left, Jean found herself standing in the living room surrounded by boxes to be unpacked, appliances to be hooked up, a screaming baby and a five-yeqr-old who decided to throw a metal toy truck through the picture window. Fortunately nobody was hurt, but jagged glass fell everywhere and a gale-force wind blew through the house.

Jean felt that she had to call Joe and tell him what had happened. Joe’s secretary informed her that he was in a meeting and couldn’t be disturbed. "May I take a message?" the secretary asked. "No, that’s okay," Jean said, knowing Joe was notoriously lax about returning her phone calls. "Wait," Jean said, "Just tell him the insurance will cover everything." The instant Joe got the message he called home. (from God’s Little Lessons on Life for Dad, Honor Books)

It’s wonderful to know God’s forgiving love restores us, just as insurance restored the broken window. God never says, "I can’t be disturbed" when we need God. God, is always on call, ready to refresh our spirits. At the same time God wants us to give others the same consideration.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio