Changing the Conversation

Jesus was talking about the teaching of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians. The disciples were talking about bread. Jesus was talking about being born again of water and the spirit. Nicodemus was talking about being born a second time when he was old. Jesus was talking about water that gives eternal life. The woman at the well was talking about some special water that would make it possible not to have to haul buckets. Jesus called to the children in the marketplace to come play His game and they changed the conversation. Ever been trying to have a serious discussion with someone about something and they change the conversation and make it about something else? Its frustrating. So here is Jesus in the boat with his captive audience, the twelve. He opens the conversation about the leaven of the religious and political leaders of His day, the ones he had just been battling over signs. Then the disciples change the subject. They don't even know they did it.

We often discuss things that Jesus and the disciples never discussed. We have burning religious topics that Jesus never brought up. And, there are lots of subjects Jesus did want to discuss that we never touch. Who is supposed to be setting the course of the conversation, the dialogs, we are to be having. We debate topics Jesus never debated. We show up to fight on battlefields He never told us to fight on. We waste a lot of time on foolish and unlearned questions, old wive tales, and matters of dispute about the law. Jesus keeps trying to steer the conversation back to significant and important topics. I know I have spent too much of my life talking about things that do not matter and are not on His topics. They missed the point on two counts. First, Jesus wasn't even talking about physical bread. Second, if he had been there would not have been a supply problem as He has already demonstrated in feeding the 5000 and the 4000. Here is an insight for you: we often discuss the wrong issue leaving the more important ones alone, while forgetting so easily how easily Jesus can take care of our needs. They did both that day in the boat.

May I speculate (from my own experience) how the debate may have gone that day. Andrew says, "Well guys we did it again. We are out on the lake with not a 7-11 in sight with no bread. Philip, you bone-head,  I think it was your job to take care of that. Jesus gave that assignment to you two crises ago." Philip chimes in, "I would have taken care of it but tight-wad Judas never wants to turn loose of a dime to buy anything and John keeps telling us how a little fasting never hurt anyone." Matthew pipes us, "We have to get organized and get a committee going to take care of this. So what should we call this committee?" Peter holds up his hand excitedly, "I know, I know. How about the Bread Committee?" James responds, "That's stupid. I say we call it The Picnic Catering Committee." Matthew with his expertise in tax-collecting says, "But someone might think we are running a business out of the church and the IRS will come and tax us." James adds, "But if we call it the Bread Committee the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) might want to do inspections and the DOH will want to set a lot of regulations and the Fire Dept will require a hood in the kitchen, and Judas would never pay for that."  And, Jesus is standing in the bow of the boat listening, rolling his eyes and saying, "Really?"