Lectionary for Pentecost 10
Jesus says: ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never be hungry,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst. John 6:35
Reading. 2 Samuel 11:26 to 12:13a. Our reading for today concludes the sorry saga of David’s fall. ( 1 Kings 15:5 notes that this was David’s defining transgression). David took Bathsheba into his home as his wife, perhaps trying to make amends for the wrong that he had done to her. The position of a widow was precarious in the ancient world and the incident could not have remained hidden. The disgrace would have made life very hard for Bathsheba and so becoming a wife of the king gave her security and status. David is trying to make restitution for the life she has lost. Thinking that things can return to normal, it is then that Nathan brings a prophetic message to King David, reminding us that God is always involved in the life of His People. By presenting the story in a different way David’s sense of injustice and exploitation is stirred: As such he is forced to sense the enormity of what he had done. In using his power and authority to exploit both Bathsheba and Uriah he had failed to use correctly the gracious gifts that God had given to him. With Nathan using an allegory David is able to recognise that he has abused the trust that God had placed in him. The final sentence of our passage brings home the reality, “I have sinned against the LORD.” From this point on the biblical story of David is marked by increasing instability and disruptive family events. Even though David is granted forgiveness the consequences from his actions will continue to be experienced in his life.
The Psalm set down for this set of readings in 51. It has long been regarded as David’s appeal and response to God and reminds us that he accepted God’s forgiveness as well as the consequences of his actions. “Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment”. Psalm 51:4. NRSV The biblical writer by recounting the whole story from David’s life is reminding us as readers that our actions have consequences both in our relationships with those around us and also with God himself.
Prayer. With the Psalmist let us pray; Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. Give to me an obedient heart. Then Lord may I fully live in your presence, pleasing you above all other: Grant me that joy now and always. Amen
Reading. John 6:24-35. Jesus here enters into a conversation with the crowds who gathered to ask him questions. He recognises that the crowd are looking for something more and directs their attention towards God through the statement, “Do not work for food that does not sustain beyond this life”. As religious people they recognise that there is more to prepare for than this life but want tangible proof. The emphasis on having bread to eat reminds them of the sustaining manna that allowed the people to reach the Promised Land. Jesus reminds them that the manna which was God’s gift only sustained them for their earthly journey. They need a greater gift than the manna. Jesus is teaching them that the way to receive the bread that gives life is to trust the “work” that God is doing; that is the work that Jesus is doing! It is that truth that brings our passage to an end. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35). The passage reminds us that many religious people, even people of faith want to work in order to receive the promises of God; yet as a Christian there is only one way and that is to rely on the “work” that Jesus has done. To not rely solely on what Jesus has done will only result in receiving “bread which perishes”. In an affluent situation it is easy to feel that we are self sustaining and forget that the truly essential things of life are always gifts from God. Jesus was pointing his hearers to this reliance on God and John in turn is reminding his readers down through the centauries that the message has not changed. Only the bread that Jesus provides will give true life. As we read this passage our prayer should be “Sir, give us this bread always!”
Prayer. Forgive us Lord, for despite all our rushing and always thinking we have no time, you are the one who has our life and hope in your hand. Let us turn to you again today Lord and find in You, as we have found before, the peace and security which draws us away from the world to be refreshed, and then allows us to return to the world with renewed hope and a peaceful sense of your presence in our lives. Lord, breathe into us the breath of life. Let us place everything in your hands so that we may live for you, in your power, and with your purpose. In our hearts may we be fully at peace so that with our wills and our minds we may serve as you desire. Grant that we may live to give you all glory. We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen
Collect. Heavenly Father, you have placed within the hearts of all your children a longing for your word and a hunger for your truth. Grant that, believing in the One whom you have sent, we may know him to be the true bread of heaven and food of eternal life, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be glory and honour for ever and ever. Amen.
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O God, satisfier of hunger, you sent your Son to turn our hearts and minds from evil; help us to steadfastly look to Christ in times of plenty or famine, that we may never hunger or thirst for any other; in the name of our Saviour Jesus. Amen.
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