Dearest e-votees,
Peter says “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.” in John 6:68.
We embellish it with a few “Alleluias” and include it as a regular part of our worship liturgy.
Really. Where else could we go but Jesus? It certainly isn't always easy. And it often isn't safe--as the Beavers reminded Lucy so memorably in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. But following Jesus is the best place I know to find freedom, peace and joy.
Peace,
Karl
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56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” 61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. 65 And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”
66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
John 6:56-69, NRSV
Jesus has been busy in the last few weeks pushing people's buttons and pushing some away. He talks of eating flesh and drinking blood--anathema to the Jews. He makes divine claims with his "I am..." pronouncements and calling God his Father. He says that the bread he provides trumps the manna that came down from heaven. This teaching was offered in synagogue in Capernaum (hometown to Peter's mother-in-law and many believe Jesus as well). These words aren't easy. These words aren't safe. But they speak of life and freedom, peace and joy.
When Jesus is told that his words are hard he doesn't apologize and soften them. Jesus says that his words are spirit. They chafe against the flesh. They stir in us belief as it is granted by the Father. They birth in us faith that will sustain us when the world, too, is neither easy nor safe. We are drawn into the fullness of the God's reign.
As many fled Jesus asked the 12 if they wanted to go to. They said no (for now, their actions said differently come Good Friday as our text study noted this week). They stayed. Peter asked our liturgical refrain “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.” We need Jesus' words. We need the eternal life that they evoke. We need the real food of Jesus flesh and Jesus' blood. Our flesh will falter. But our spirits, sustained by Word and Sacrament, will be sustained unto eternal life. As we enter into that eternal life even now we find freedom, peace, joy and life. Thanks be to God.
God, grant us to come to Jesus. Grant us belief. Grant us eternal life. Sustain us with your words of eternal life. Sustain us with your heavenly food--your body and blood. Amen.
Peter says “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.” in John 6:68.
We embellish it with a few “Alleluias” and include it as a regular part of our worship liturgy.
Really. Where else could we go but Jesus? It certainly isn't always easy. And it often isn't safe--as the Beavers reminded Lucy so memorably in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. But following Jesus is the best place I know to find freedom, peace and joy.
Peace,
Karl
------------
56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” 61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. 65 And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”
66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Jesus has been busy in the last few weeks pushing people's buttons and pushing some away. He talks of eating flesh and drinking blood--anathema to the Jews. He makes divine claims with his "I am..." pronouncements and calling God his Father. He says that the bread he provides trumps the manna that came down from heaven. This teaching was offered in synagogue in Capernaum (hometown to Peter's mother-in-law and many believe Jesus as well). These words aren't easy. These words aren't safe. But they speak of life and freedom, peace and joy.
When Jesus is told that his words are hard he doesn't apologize and soften them. Jesus says that his words are spirit. They chafe against the flesh. They stir in us belief as it is granted by the Father. They birth in us faith that will sustain us when the world, too, is neither easy nor safe. We are drawn into the fullness of the God's reign.
As many fled Jesus asked the 12 if they wanted to go to. They said no (for now, their actions said differently come Good Friday as our text study noted this week). They stayed. Peter asked our liturgical refrain “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.” We need Jesus' words. We need the eternal life that they evoke. We need the real food of Jesus flesh and Jesus' blood. Our flesh will falter. But our spirits, sustained by Word and Sacrament, will be sustained unto eternal life. As we enter into that eternal life even now we find freedom, peace, joy and life. Thanks be to God.
God, grant us to come to Jesus. Grant us belief. Grant us eternal life. Sustain us with your words of eternal life. Sustain us with your heavenly food--your body and blood. Amen.
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