Concluding John
Friends, we made it. We made it through the five weeks of semi-continuous readings from the Gospel of John in which Jesus teaches about who he is as bread of life, the bread come down from heaven. We have seen his teachings go from poetically metaphorical to downright difficult.
We are not alone in finding his teachings difficult. This week, we see that his disciples also found his teachings difficult. We see some of the disciples go away, and others stay. Even the ones who stay admit that his teachings are hard, but they have tasted life in those teachings, and therefore, there is nowhere else for them to go.
Life is hard. Feeling lost is hard. Being spiritually hungry is hard. Jesus’ teachings are hard.
Which one brings life and healing and community and a lifetime of growing in grace and mercy and love? Jesus’ teachings do all this.
All options are hard: we can pick our hard.
May we remember the lifegiving fruits of this faith path when we choose.
The times we live in today are hard. You are in my daily prayers. I pray our fellowship and communion at EPC goes with you all throughout the week and you feel the presence of Jesus very near to you each day, opening doors, keeping you safe, and watching over those you love.
I will be so glad to see you Sunday,
Jane
Take a look at all the revised common lectionary selections for this coming Sunday here:
