Happy Lutheran

If you attend a congregation in a denomination that follows the daily lectionary [like most ELCA Lutheran congregations], you have been deep in John 6 for several weeks, hearing a great deal about bread–and Jesus’ relationship to bread, to life, and to his Father. Most pastors will tell you that this can be a hard section of John’s gospel to preach on, not least because you need to find something particular and unique to say each week, and it is easy to get bogged down in too many themes. But, at the same time, there is no denying that this section of John is very powerful, and makes a strong statement about who Jesus is, and what he has come into the world to do and be. I had the chance to preach on John 6:35, 41-51 a few weeks ago; here are some excerpts from this sermon.

Bread is essential.

Whether it is injera in Ethiopia, naan in India, brown bread in Ireland, or biscuits in Virgina, bread is essential.

Bread is life.

When we pray, as Jesus taught, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we aren’t praying for a few slices of Wonder. We are praying for everything we need to get us through the day. We are praying for sustenance, for strength, for fortitude, and good courage. We are praying for a spirit of hope, for openness, for the patience not to rip into the people who are driving us crazy; for the patience to breath, open our ears and listen. We are praying for all that we need to feed the new life God is calling to live—with God, with creation, and with each other.

As Dr, Luther says in his Small Catechism, this petition asks God to help us “recognize what our daily bread is and to receive it with thanksgiving.” And what “daily bread means,” according to Luther, is “everything included in the necessities and nourishment for our bodies”—including “faithful rulers, peace, honor, good friends.”

Bread is life.

So, when Jesus says, I am the bread of life, we need to pay close attention. And we need to take him at this word.

This is Jesus’ identity statement, and with it, Jesus is pointing us to something new when it comes to God’s gift of daily bread. Certainly, we have many examples in Scripture of God giving bread to God’s people when they are starving. The example that we heard of God rescuing Elijah, on the run and at death’s door, is a vivid example. The story of God feeding God’s people in the wilderness with manna, referenced in this Gospel passage, is another classic example.

And, the miracle of Jesus feeding the thousands, which happens in John’s Gospel just a few verses before today’s text, is another captivating example.

But in today’s text, something else is happening. Jesus is not bringing the bread, he is claiming to be the bread. And not just any bread, but the bread of life. Something more, something different is being declared here. Jesus is not enacting a miracle, Jesus is the miracle.

And that miracle culminates in the cross, and the empty tomb, and in the meal that physically unites Christians all around the world, in all times and all places, as the body of Christ; the meal that you and I are about to share, uniting us as the body of Christ. And this miracle is about much more than having our bellies filled, and our physical hunger sated.

This miracle is about the new reality that Jesus Christ has inaugurated in his life, death and resurrection. The reality that has changed, is changing and will change the whole world. The reality that grounds our identity—and the identity of our neighbors, strangers and even our enemies—in forgiveness, grace, and love. The reality that makes all things new: that makes dry bones dance, that causes springs to flow in the desert, that calls us irresistibly into life, and life abundant.

For me, there are several pieces of good news this reality offers us.

First, and most important, Jesus is, now and always, the essential miracle, the most astounding, wondrous miracle. The most precious gift the church has to offer the world is the clear and joyous proclamation of new life, forgiveness and grace that he embodies and gives so freely and lavishly to us all. It is the promise, the sure promise, that every single one of us is unconditionally loved, treasured, beautiful, and uniquely precious in God’s eyes. And nothing anyone says or does can change that.  This is the core of the church’s existence; this is the essence.

And second, we can be encouraged by the reminder that ultimately, this church is in Christ’s hands—not ours. [I say this especially to all pastors/deacons/bishops and other church professionals out there; all of you who are giving your all to your ministries, desparately working that they might succeed.] Yes, we have a responsibility to do the good work we are called to do; yes, we have a responsibility to use well the gifts that have been entrusted to us—but friends, the salvation of the church is not our responsibility. That is God’s work; and, make no mistake, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the church will continue to proclaim and embody the inbreaking of the kin-dom of God until God’s reign is fully realized. One day more, a thousand years—we do not know how much time the church has in the world, but we can fearlessly trust that the gospel will endure, long after we all have returned to dust, and taken our place in the heavenly choir.

And, finally, we can rest secure in the knowledge that, ultimately, you and I are in Christ’s hands. And, just as we are not saving the church with our work, we are not earning our own salvation with this work, either. That is already assured; all that is needful has already been done. So, you and I are free to follow where God is calling us. We are free to dare and dream, free to risk and fail, free to swing and miss—or swing and hit a home run. Either way, we are the same: beloved, forgiven, healed and justified children of God; made new in Jesus Christ, fed by the bread of life. Thanks be to God. AMEN.