Flesh & Blood - Week One: "The Bread of Life"

I know that it's hard to believe, but it's the 12th Sunday of Pentecost!

That was tongue in cheek because we are in the middle of one of the Church's historic seasons that seems to go on forever. Also, it's summer, so no one really pays attention because they are preoccupied with sweating. 

But not us!  We are on top of this because we will continue learning from the lectionary what it means to live in the community of Christ. 

Today, we are launching a short three-part lectionary series focused on the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Christians talk about the same thing, whether we call it Holy Communion, the Eucharist, The Lord’s Supper, or the Mass.  We might have different views on how we experience the Lord's Supper, but we all come to the table in our own way. 

Here at Shepherd, we do this every week, but how often do we stop and consider what it means for us and our community? 

Reasons why we observe the Lord's Supper each week: 

• The Early Church did. 
• We prioritize the things that matter. 
• The Book of Order (Presbyterian Church USA) says so. 

We practice open Communion here at Shepherd. It's essential for us to remember that we aren't the host; Jesus is, and Jesus welcomed everyone to the table, even Judas, who betrayed him.  

This meal instituted by Jesus is perhaps the most important sign and symbol of what it means to be part of Christ's Church. Over the next couple of weeks, we will explore why that is. 

Today we're going to focus on a metaphor that Jesus himself used: Jesus as the Bread of Life 

Mishaps and Missteps - What not to do with bread… 

Stories about the perils of Communion.  

Our different understandings of what Communion is for us. 

• A meal of remembrance of Christ's death on the Cross. 
• Christ is present with us when we receive the elements. 
• The elements become Christ's body and blood for us. 

But we can agree that Holy Communion is a powerful symbol. Symbols serve as a bridge, making it easier to comprehend an idea or a reality that is often challenging to grasp. 

JESUS COMES AS THE BREAD OF LIFE TO FILL THE HUNGER OF OUR SOULS

John 6:35, 41-51

Jesus says something controversial (shocker)

5 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 

41 Then, the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 

He draws on the story of the Hebrew people and manna from Exodus

The stories teach that God gave them “bread from heaven” to eat 

The people get confused because they know his family, “How?”

43 Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me, and I will raise that person up on the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 

46 Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I  am the bread of life. 

49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Jesus’ declaration is part of the “I AM” statements in John - divinity 

The bottom line with Jesus’ challenging metaphor here is that he offers something spiritual, but there is a tangible aspect of it as well: his body. 

What Does This Story Teach Us 

Jesus shifts the focus from the past to the present.  

It's not just about what God did; it's about what God is doing.  

Eternal life begins now, the sign and symbol of bread reminds us of this. 

When we come to the table, we come mystically with all those who came before us and all those who will come after us.  

Jesus offers sustenance and spiritual food that restores our hunger. 

We are reminded that when we take in Christ, we have all we need to continue life's journey.  

JESUS COMES AS THE BREAD OF LIFE TO FILL THE HUNGER OF OUR SOULS