A Twist

Dr Iain Jamieson July 31, 2018 0 1

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2 Kings 4: 42-44

42 A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, ‘Give it to the people and let them eat.’ 43 But his servant said, ‘How can I set this before a hundred people?’ So he repeated, ‘Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, “They shall eat and have some left.”’ 44 He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.

In this reading 100 people are fed with loaves and fishes with food to spare at the end. It’s a beautiful image and an expression of generosity and grace I think that sums up Jesus for me his love, generosity and I like to think humour. “A bag of loaves and fish for all this lot. No problem.”

It’s unexpected.

I do love a song with a twist, from Eminem’s “Stan” (very parental advisory lyrics however) to Lola by The Kinks which reveals the beautiful Lola of the title to be none other than a man but I didn’t want to write today about acceptance and rejection (Stan) or transgender issues (Lola).

Rather, I came across this song by Roy Orbison

‘Running scared’

“Just running scared each place we go so afraid that he might show

Just running scared what would I do if he came back and wanted you

Just running scared feeling low yeah running scared you loved him so

Just running scared afraid to lose if he came back which one would you choose

Then all at once he was standing there so sure of himself his head in the air

My heart was breaking which one would it be

Then you turned around and walked away with me”

It’s the tale of a man deeply worried that his partner would choose another. 

In the end she chooses him.

And I think that’s beautiful. We all want to be chosen, to be special, and to be loved and it is exactly this way with God.

We were chosen, before the day we were even born. We don’t need to be running scared. To quote the title of a well known Christian song: “Run Scared no more”

Prayer:

Father God, I know I’m not worthy and I know I’m flawed and so broken.

But you choose me every single time.

Even when I don’t deserve a second glance. 

I am perfect in your sight.

Amen.