The Bread of Life
(Free Version Post)- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33; Ephesians 4:25-5:2; John 6:35, 41-51
Our lectionary texts this week are about the pain of death and God’s unending faithfulness.
In our Old Testament text Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33), David grieves the death of his son Absalom. It was the grief of the loss of his son, but also the grief over what his son had become and his attempt to usurp David’s throne. David is also grieving the brokenness of their relationship, and the ways that all of this had led to Absalom’s death. Yet, even in Absalom’s death, David experienced God’s hand on Israel, protecting them. God was faithful even when both David and Absalom were not.
In our Epistle text (Ephesians 4:25-5:2) Paul tells the church in Ephesus that they are to “put away” certain things and to “put on” the new self (vs. 24). He then continues with a list of things to “put off” and “take on.” Put Away Falsehood, Take on Truth (vs. 25); Put away sin (in your anger) (vs. 26); Put away stealing, Pick up beneficial work (vs. 28); Put away unwholesome talk; talk on meaningful talk (vs. 29). This is reflected in the Anglican baptismal service where candidates are asked the following questions:
Question: Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
Answer: I renounce them.
Question: Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
Answer: I renounce them.
Question: Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
Answer: I renounce them.
Then, the candidates are called to turn towards something:
Question: Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your
Savior?
Answer: I do.
Question: do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
Answer: I do.
Question: Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?
Answer: I do.
And then, in a standalone, Paul says, “Don’t Grieve the Holy Spirit,” (vs. 30) as each of the things that we are called to put away not only put a strain on relationships between each of us, they also grieve God’s heart. Finally, Get Rid of the Stuff that Tears Apart; Take on Forgiveness (vs. 31)
The Christian life is about putting to death, or laying down the old life, and taking on the new life.
In John’s gospel, the crowds are called to put away their previous ideas about kingship, provision, and signs, trusting in Jesus who is the “bread of life.” This leads to a new life and a new hope.
Remember, the crowds wanted to make Jesus king “by force” (6:15). But, instead of becoming a king like all other nations and conceptions of power, Jesus did what his ancestor said he wanted to do: “Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son.” Jesus took on the mistakes of the world, the rebellion of the world, the vanity of the world, and died in our place.
Looking for more? Check out our subscription options. Our “Deep Dive” this week features a more background on the Old Testament text, a look at the theme of “poetic justice” in post-Enlightenment literature and how Malcolm Gladwell says that plays out in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. We also include relevant quotes from Fleming Rutledge, James K.A. Smith, Chris Green, and Alexander Schmemann; as well as a story about the time that someone broke into our car and stole all of our stuff.