In John 7:37-39, Jesus speaks of rivers of living water flowing through us. He is using an image that is rich in the Bible, speaking to what is life giving – as with the Samaritan woman at the well or the river running through the New Jerusalem in Revelation.
In this passage, Jesus is speaking – no shouting – at the Feast of Tabernacles, a feast that celebrated the ways God provided for the people of Israel as they wandered through the wilderness, when Moses struck the rock and out came living water, as God guided them to the Promised Land (Ex. 17:1-7).
It is important to remember that before the building of the temple in Jerusalem, the one Solomon built, the people worshipped in a tent, called a tabernacle, moving from place to place. There was no standing still.
In this scene, Jesus is reminding the people of this moment in Israel’s history, and he is sharing how this water can be like the Holy Spirit flowing through them, and that, by believing in him, they can receive the Spirit, and that if they block this
water it is akin to blocking the Spirit (7:38).
In other words, the whole goal of the Christian life is to stay open to the flow of the Spirit – not to hinder the Spirit.
Therefore, beneath all the roles we play, and all the responsibilities we have, beneath all the things we do – there is this stream of living water that brings together all the different parts of our lives into a whole, bringing forth life itself. That stream of living water is the Spirit of Christ himself who seeks to live in us if we receive him and believe in him.
This is what Jesus is shouting! He is crying out this message to all who have ears
to hear. How may we have the ears to receive what he shares? Amen.
​Pastor Andy Kinsey

A few years ago, Bishop Will Willimon wrote an article about how we live in a culture that lacks focus, or that has become this vast supermarket of desire, of choices, of options, of things, offering us and promising us satisfaction. He reflects on how our hungers run so deep that we rush around – mostly unaware – for the latest thing to fill our emptiness, as we have such a need to fill our lives with stuff. Yet, we don’t seem to want to face our emptiness.

 Willimon then asks this question: Might it be true that Christ is the bread we need, even though he is rarely the bread we seek, and that many of the things we desire in this life, in the eternal scheme of things, are not what really matters? How would we answer that question?

When Jesus says, “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty,” do we hear the kind of invitation he is making? To receive what is imperishable, eternal?

When we consider the kinds of “faith promises” we are making and the promises we make to follow Christ, how might we see what we are doing as sharing in this “bread of life promise” for God’s children here and around the world – providing ways for others to feed on Jesus too, and to realize what difference his Bread-Life makes? How might we see what we are doing as participating in the work that endures forever as we share in faith-promise missions giving?
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          It is a wonderful invitation: to receive from Jesus the very promises of life, to receive his broken and blessed body and to realize that it is not simply for us, but for the life of the world. For all. The very Bread of Life Promise himself. May we open our hands and hearts to receive him now. Amen.

Pastor Andy Kinsey

I remember one of dad’s favorite fishing trips was a day trip he would take to a place called Upper Silas lake; a beautiful mountain lake nestled below boulder topped peaks, and banked by willows, rocks, and pine trees.  Every July, still today, many of us (including my dad up until just a few years ago), load our day packs with snacks, water, and fishing gear, lace up our hiking boots or trail shoes, drive to the trail head, and spend a day walking the same trail and casting a line in the same lake and stream that dad did those many years ago.  

There is something about fishing that speaks to how we live our lives; a metaphor that illustrates aspects of how we live our lives.  I am not talking about what some call fishing when they throw a line out with a bobber and then sit in their lawn chair until the bell rings or the bobber disappears.  I am talking about “real” fishing.  :)  Fly Fishing.  Spinner fishing comes closer but there is nothing like fly fishing! Traipsing through tall grass, sage, and willows to get to a good spot.  Navigating tree limbs and balancing on rocks used as stepping stones to cross the river, all the while not getting your line snagged in the trees and willows around you. Getting the right angle to reach the deepest hole.  Strapping on the waders to get to where the big ones are, or getting in the drift tube and floating the current til lunch time.  Fly fishing.   Ten and two, ten and two, ten and two.  All in the wrist.  All in the rhythm.  All one motion connected to another.  All in knowing what you are fishing for. 

We are all fishing for something.  Whether on a camping trip fishing for trout, on the lake fishing for bluegill, bass, and catfish, or we are sitting at home, in the office, or at school fishing for a good grade, a better job, our first job, a successful career, a promotion, or the best bargain on line or in the store.  Some are fishing for a relationship, an education, a secure future.  Others cast a line looking for a way out, a place to live, or someone to give them a chance.    We fish for answers, plans, purpose, excitement, forgiveness, value, comfort, acceptance, something normal, or something real. 

In Matthew 4:18-23 Jesus calls what would become his first disciples.  He asks a small group of fishermen to “come and follow him” and that by doing so he (Jesus) would make them “fishers of men.” Why fishermen?  Why call people who make a living by fishing to grow the Kingdom of Heaven?  Why not someone more qualified?  Someone with more letters behind their name and more experience in the field of building kingdoms.  Why fishermen?   Because a good fisherwoman or fisherman contains qualities which in turn make them good fishers of people. 

Let me explain:  A good fisherman is patient…they know a fish (or a person) cannot be rushed. 
A good fisherwoman has perseverance…Never to be discouraged and always willing to try again. They know not all fish (or all people) react the same, swim the same, or hang out in the same kinds of water.  Not all fish want the same thing but they do want to be fed.  

A good fisherman has courage…to face difficulty, ridicule, or defeat.  To work hard with little results.  To realize some days it feels like the fish get the last laugh and they just aren’t biting.  

A good fisherwoman has an eye for the right moment…they must understand that when storms rage, the temperature is far too hot, or the surface of the water is simply too choppy, it is not a good time to fish.  When tempers flare, the conversation or circumstance is too hot, or the emotions are too charged and choppy, it is best to try another day. 

A good fisherman fits the bait to the fish…they know their limitations.  They understand that one cannot be all things to all fish but that it takes all those who follow Jesus to do their part of casting the love, hope, and goodness of Jesus into the sea of living.  

A good fisherman  keeps out of sight…showing not themselves or their fancy technique, extensive training, and proven tactics but rather, showing the qualities and characteristics of Jesus to any fish that might come their way. 

We are all fishing for something and over the next few weeks, seniors all over the country, including right here in Franklin, will set or cast their nets onto life’s waters and fish for what comes next.  As they do and as you live your life, I ask you to consider what Jesus said to those first disciples, “come and follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.”

Come, wherever you go, whatever you do, follow me, make me a part of your life.  Wherever life might take you, whatever school you attend, or wherever you put down roots, or even when you retire, follow me, make me a priority in your life.  Whatever job you get, or don’t get, wherever the next experience takes you, follow me, allow me to walk alongside you through it all.

May we all be more like the fishermen Jesus first called.  May we be patient when it feels like it is taking forever or when it seems no one understands.  Persevere when we want cut bait and quit or when life is unfair and plain hard.  Be courageous when facing challenges, rejection, or defeat. Look for the right moment, seek Jesus’ Spirit in the present and trust he is with us.  Know our limits and know that Jesus has none. May we show the world Jesus Love not our judgment or cynicism.  Jesus’ compassion not our qualifying conditions.  Jesus’ truth not someone else's. Jesus’ peace not our war.  Jesus’ hope not our empty intentions.  

May we remember our call to be fishers of people.  Amen

Pastor Jenothy Irvine