Sermon Notes
September 24, 2023
Rev. Dr. Jan Remer-Osborn
I want more! And I want more than the guy next to me.
Our scriptures today in Exodus and Matthew have one main theme. “I want morel” What you give me God is never enough is the too human never-ending claim.
God gives us everything, yet we grumble, even after we receive what we ask for. We can choose what kind of disciples Jesus wants us to be. The whiners or the doers who are filled with gratitude.
The Israelites on their exodus journey forget their freedom and focus on their stomachs. Manna, not enough, I want more!
In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:2-15), we observe the greed of people who feel they deserve more than anyone else. Jesus turns our idea of fairness upside down when he speaks of the generosity of the estate manager paying all equally, not based on the hours they worked.
Jesus is not really talking here about fair business practices. He is alluding to the radical nature of God and the Kingdom, and God’s infinite grace. We can’t DO anything to get this.
Today, I want you to remember not just the gift of manna, but a gift that is so much better.
Jesus declared “I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)
Christ is the ever living, everlasting bread; bread that nourishes us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually by His example and love,
Don’t forget to eat.