August 4, 2024 Sermon
Great Giver of what is satisfying and good, help us discard the junk foods of this life to take hold of what is life-giving—bread that satisfies, waters that quenches thirst, and Your light that shines in the darkest places of our being. Please fill each one of us, we ask, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
What do today’s vehicles, computers, cellphones, appliances, McDonald Happy meals toys, and Chinese food all have in common?
They all rely on a business concept, first coined by Brook Stevens, in 1954. His theory is called planned obsolescence, which is nothing really new. But after he coined the term, it became the strategy used to help businesses prosper. Create a product, that creates excitement, and the product will sell. However, the product is intentionally designed to become either obsolete or cease to function. But because people have a perceived need, it will need to be replaced. We can all think of countless examples!
Computers are made to be replaced in two to five years. New software is written every six months, requiring a new pc to run it. Vehicles have an average lifespan of 11.5 years. Dealerships want you to purchase an extended warranty. Simply meaning they don’t expect the vehicle to hold up much beyond the five-year mark. Household appliances are no longer expected to last more than ten years.
We fall for the principle of obsolescence over and over again. We even seek such things out, for the rush, for the excitement of having something new again. Today’s gospel challenges that thought. Jesus advised the people of God then and all of us today, to switch from chasing that which is planned to be obsolete, and switch to desiring that which will satisfy forever.
We read from Mark’s Gospel about the feeding of the thousands of people with five loaves and two fish. People had run all the way around the Sea of Galilee, looking to find Jesus. There in a desolate region, after teaching them about God’s love, Jesus fed them with two fish, and some bread, which only nourished them for a short time. Getting hungry again, they went searching for him throughout Galilee because they wanted more food from him… They were motivated by a self-interest to seek out Jesus. They found Him in the Capernaum synagogue.
Just as we need to replace those things of which we are so proud, the truck that will cost more to fix, than it is worth; the computer that will no longer update anymore. They wanted the food, to have their desire and hunger satisfied.
Jesus even acknowledged their self-serving motivation for seeking Him out. He calls them to seek something more substantial–something that will be everlasting: Food that sustains to eternal Life.
Jesus takes their hunger and changes it towards something more nourishing.
We live in a culture, that seeks satisfaction. When something or even someone no longer satisfies us, we replace it. A new vehicle, or a new home, that gives us the excitement for which we’re looking. If it doesn’t satisfy or excite us – trade it in, for something more powerful, faster, or that which gives a greater sense of being satisfied.
Jesus is really speaking to the obvious: nothing truly satisfies, nothing quenches our thirst, and we chase after that lack of satisfaction until it destroys us.
Jesus says: Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.
Don’t chase after the sin, which promises fleeting satisfaction at best, but leaves you empty and wasted. Instead, look for the things that will sustain you, forever. Look to Jesus, and what He provides. It sustains us, and will indeed satisfy us, more than anything else.
God the Father sent Jesus to give us the things that cause life to thrive until we enter into eternity. Jesus encourages everyone to take what He alone can give.
Did they listen? Do people today listen? Of course not.
We like planned obsolescence!
When Jesus says that his food will nourish you until eternal life—food that he gives out, they ask what’s the catch? What’s the cost. They plainly ask: “What must we do, to be doing the works of God? What price do we have to pay?”
They didn’t listen, or they didn’t get it. That which is worth the most, is that for which the price has already been paid!
There is still another element in our personalities that stands in the way of receiving what Jesus offers to give. It’s part of our temporary enjoyment to be able to think or say: “I earned this.”
By taking credit for the upgrade’s, we experience in life we think we earned it. Maybe in some way planned obsolescence shows us we have worth and value—without God.
When the people mention Moses giving them the manna from heaven, Jesus corrects them. It was God the Father who gave them the manna. His correct points them to the One who is able to provide all things. Pretty simple thing actually. Trust the Father and the one the Father has sent. Trust Jesus. That’s it!
You want to live forever in complete joy? Trust Jesus.
You want your sins forgiven, and temptations removed? Trust Jesus.
You don’t have to go on a pilgrimage, You don’t have to pay thousands or millions of dollars or say thousands of prayers. Just trust Him.
Trust that His death on the cross was for You. Jesus paid all the cost. Jesus provided the way back to having a relationship with God the Father. Trust in Him. Have faith that Jesus’ work, is for You and all believers.
But the people that day just couldn’t do that, much like most people today. They asked: Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you?
For anyone who is used to planned obsolesce, it’s a very good question. The people of Israel’s ancestors were fed, not by their own work, but because God proved Himself trustworthy and faithful to care for His people.
We know that the bread of life, Jesus, was sent down from heaven, and because of that, we know we are sustained in Him, for eternity.
That is how the passage ends, with an incredible guarantee. When Jesus provided that which would sustain life, His very life and death, and resurrection, our chasing after that which satisfies, becomes mute. For nothing will satisfy our true needs like Jesus. Not food, or drink, not stuff, or luxuries, not even a meal at the pizza ranch or China buffet will stay with us as long.
What will, is the incredible love and mercy, grace and peace of God, revealed to us in Christ Jesus. Things that were planned, from before the foundation of the world will never become obsolete or have an expiration date. God is for us, that will never perish.
and because the love of Jesus will not perish neither shall we. We will have complete satisfaction, God’s favor and peace!
And now may the peace of God, guard Your heart and mind in Christ Jesus, AMEN.
