Opening sentence. Jesus says: ‘I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever.’ John 6:51
Collect. Let us pray (to be defended in doubt and difficulty): Merciful Father, whose Son laid down his life that we might die to self and live in him: grant us so perfect a communion with him that, in all the doubts and dangers that assail us, our faith may not be found wanting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading. Ephesians 4:25 to 5:2. Earlier in his letter Paul has reminded his readers that through the death and resurrection of Christ every believer has been called into the Church, the body of Christ. Furthermore each has been equipped with gifts by the Holy Spirit to serve the church. Today’s reading reminds the believers that because they have been incorporated into the body then there is an appropriate ethical response that needs to be made. Paul is addressing believers personally but he is also thinking of the body of Christ as a unity; each member should respond this way for the good of the whole. Paramount in Paul’s thinking is the need to maintain a unity within the body; this unity would provide a stark contrast to the rest of society which then as now was deeply divided. This show of unity would further demonstrate that for each believer a new life and therefore a new life style had begun. With Christ as the head life was to be lived as he himself determined.
Every moral and ethical demand speaks directly of the new life in Christ. Lying is a way of life common to the old life. To always tell the truth demands an openness so that true relationships can be maintained. When we fail to tell the truth we hide parts of ourselves from others and this can lead to division.
Anger is a normal emotion but the anger spoken of here is the anger that divides and leads to evil thoughts and actions and again is a divisive force within the body. Paul says that such actions are devilish for they emulate the ways of the devil. (John 8:44) This anger as an emotion is not wrong but if that emotion leads to unhelpful actions it is to be avoided and dealt with quickly.
Stealing for some people was a way of life but in the body this is no longer tenable. If someone was unable to work then in a unified body they would receive assistance. The church has long been a help and a supporter of the poor but to live by stealing could not be tolerated.
Evil talk is not simply blasphemy but is chatter that does not build up the body. To criticize one another is not helpful and only indicates a desire to take control and lead. Commendation builds up and encourages but on the other hand criticism is destructive and simply holds people back from growing in the faith. Previously Paul has reminded his readers that the Holy Spirit has gifted special people to lead the body, (pastors, teachers ect) thus when correction or guidance is needed in the body they are the ones who are equipped to do it in such a way that those in need of guidance can learn and grow. To usurp those gifted with leadership is to work against the discernment of the Holy Spirit. To work against the ways of Jesus Christ is to grieve the Spirit for it is the Spirit who teaches us all that Christ desires of us. (John16:13) Paul closes this section by reminding the believers to live in love emulating the love that Christ has for each one for this not only honours God but also honours the sacrifice that Jesus made when he suffered and died to bring us to righteousness.
Prayer. Most Holy God, we thank you that we have been called to be members of your family in Christ, we thank and praise you for your majesty and power for in your mercy you sent Jesus to be the Saviour of all humanity. In His sacrifice and faithfulness those who trust and believe in Him are welcomed into your presence. With thankful hearts we worship you and offer to you the praise that is yours by right. In your name every family on earth can rejoice in the blessings that you have poured out through the sacrifice of Jesus. With sincere reverence we bow before you and we will tell of your mercy and grace, that all many know that Jesus Christ in Lord of all. We pray in His Name. Amen
Reading. John 6:35, 41-51. Just as John has seven signs by Jesus in his gospel, so he also has seven “I am” sayings of Jesus. I am the light of the world, the Good Shepherd, the door for the sheep, the true vine, the way, the resurrection and the life; but perhaps the most direct and far reaching was the saying that we read of today. I am the bread of life…the living bread that came down from heaven. It was after that statement that John notes that the “Jews” begin to complain. (We must note here that when John uses the term “Jews” he is not speaking in general but is referring to the religious leaders in Galilee whose authority that statement directly challenged.) The priestly leaders believed themselves to be the voice of God for the people, just as the prophets had been in the past. Jesus in contrast is putting himself in the very place of God, the one who gives life to all the people.
In order to retain their status the religious authorities relied on obeying the law. Human achievement was paramount in their right to exercise authority in God’s name. Jesus on the other hand was challenging them to live by trusting, and trusting in him no less.
Despite all the signs that Jesus had demonstrated they still could only see him as the son of a carpenter. They resolutely refused to believe. To be in the place of God was an amazing claim that the leaders could not accept. Jesus reminded them that their ancestors had been sustained in life by eating manna in the desert but this bread had only sustained their earthly existence. The bread that he was offering would sustain them eternally. The bread that he was offering was of a different nature all together.
As we read this passage we can more easily understand that Jesus was speaking of his death which was to be the sacrifice that would secure eternal life for those who believed. The leaders understood very well the difference between the bread that sustained earthly life and the bread that Jesus was offering that sustained life with God. However to accept what he was saying we to also accept that Jesus was the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. The leader’s refusal to believe meant that they simply did not trust in Jesus but were implacably opposed to him. They refused to accept a different way of trusting in God especially as it meant relinquishing their earthly authority. Jesus reminded them that it was only as God allowed them to accept the things that Jesus was saying that eternal life was achieved. We cannot come to God through understanding but only in Jesus, through faith and trust.
The conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities is important but if that is all we see we will miss the message that John is trying to give. This was written many years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. The conflict with the religious authorities still remained but the major point of John’s message continues to be an essential part of Jesus’ message and that is to take to ourselves the bread that will sustain us into eternal life.
The passage reminds us that it is easy to strive for things which in the end do not sustain us. The Jewish leaders clung onto their earthly power and authority which blinded their eyes to the power and authority of Jesus. In doing so they missed the chance to change and receive eternal life. In life it is so easy to see other things as more important than cultivating a lasting faith in Jesus. John’s message is clear to see, our hope for an eternal future is in danger unless our life is fully connected to Jesus. We need Jesus to be the essential element in our life now and forever.
Prayer. Gracious Father, your Word says, “ The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. So dear lord, as the brightness of the sun pushes back the darkness and light brings a new day, so Lord you come to us at the dawning of each new day, our lives are renewed, the anxieties of the night are gone and you calm our fears and anxieties as we place our trust in you. You give us strength and courage to live our daily lives knowing you are with us and we do not walk alone. From our birth to our death, you lead us; in our grief and in our sorrow, you comfort us, in our joy and celebration, you uplift us, and rejoice with us. We give you all thanks and praise for even when we find it hard to rejoice in life, still you surround us with love. Take our hand dear Lord, that we may walk with you and know the reality of your everlasting love. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
Collect. Jesus, living Bread, all-sufficient Saviour, nourish us with your word; feed us, quench our thirst, that we may live in love and be filled with your praise now and for ever. Amen.
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