John 6:35, 41-51 is our lectionary text for the Sunday coming up.
Jesus declares I AM... He is God... I am Who I am... here, the Bread of Life... that which sustains life. The corrupt religious leaders of that time and place resisted that declaration and all that it/He stood for. The question is begged - Will you resist empire or Kingdom?
Jesus commanded us to FOLLOW Him. He also said that all who believe in Him/His Way of living with God in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now, would have eternal life. He punctuated this by claiming again, I AM.
Jesus pointed out that the ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness that God provided, but they eventually died. THIS BREAD sustains beyond just this part of God's Kingdom, here and now, to the other part - to life for eternity with God in love, joy and peace. This is the LIVING BREAD, that which God gives in Jesus - His flesh.
Clearly, if you have stayed awake for any or all Gospel readings, you have heard that God wants us to have enough here and now, with justice and peace. It is for the living of a quality of life for all people in this part of the Kingdom that Jesus teaches, commands and models the Good News of Agape Love and Grace. It is also, incidentally, about life for eternity in heaven.
God's guidance in the Good News of Jesus is all about living Agape Love and Grace, here and now. God's Grace in Jesus is all about salvation, here and now, AND for eternity in heaven.
It is given for ALL people. We either believe that and resist empire, or we don't believe it and resist the Kingdom of God and Jesus' Way of Agape Love and Grace - we resist God.
The one who believes has eternal life.
Do you believe it?
Pastor Jamie
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