Living in the Spirit

August 21, 2021

Scripture Reading: John 6:56-69

Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 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.’ He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 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. And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’ –John 6:56-65

My first thought on reading this scripture was to wonder why I have to deal with it twice in the same month. I can usually follow the subject matter path of those who created the lectionary set for readers each week. Some are easier to perceive than others. My sense regarding the emphasis on eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood is a call that, to follow him, we must be fully committed. All the New Testament was written after the crucifixion and the resurrection. Just as we relate our lives to extraordinary or traumatic events, so did the authors of the New Testament. Jesus’ followers had to accept that his death was necessary for their salvation and the realization of Christ’s Kingdom throughout the world. The flesh must die before it can be eaten, providing the nourishment for the consumers to fulfill their responsibilities.

During these days of trauma, we need to lean into God’s nourishment for our souls. We must cling to God’s love as we struggle to deal with the worst pandemic in our history, earthquakes and other climate-related events that are exceeding records, and the ending of a twenty-year war for which there are no good immediate answers or outcomes.

Prayer: Lord, surround all our world leaders and us with your love so we can fulfill our call to work toward a kingdom ruled by love. Amen

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All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.