John 6: 41-51 (Common English Bible)
The Christian religion does appear as an essential and pluralistic cross-cultural faith. It appeared first in Asia, then northern Africa, Europe and then North and South America. And the success of the gospels adapted itself to those nationalities. The gospel comes to each person and to all people where they are. But there are differences. A Palestinian Christian would have a different world-view compared to most Christians in the United States. But by its nature, the Christian faith is a religion of nearly infinite flexibility because it’s been revealed in a person, Jesus the Christ, for his eternal love. One example is the Holy Eucharist and an open welcome to Christ’s table.
When the people of Israel complained to Moses about the fear of starving in the wilderness, they wondered whether freedom was worth it. Perhaps a dictatorship under a Pharaoh would be better. God answered their cries of despair with manna and later with water from the Rock of Horeb. With their most basic needs met, they were ready to continue their journey to the promised land.
But this physical bread, essential to our lives, isn't enough for an abundant life. As Jesus concluded his 40 day fast in the wilderness, he was hungry when the Tempter (“satan”) suggested he could satisfy Jesus’ hunger by turning stones into bread. But Jesus rebukes the Tempter and says, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the Word of God through me.”
If bread alone won’t satisfy one’s hunger, might it reveal Christ to us? After Jesus’ crucifixion on a Roman cross, many of his followers thought his movement was over. Although there were rumors that Jesus was alive, there were two of his followers who were skeptical about that. The two disciples were traveling to Emmaus for refuge before they might end up on a Roman cross. Their heads were down, full of sorrow because the One who they believed would bring hope to their lives was dead.
But along the way, they met up with a man who seemed to be above the recent crucifixion in Jerusalem. But this individual read the passages in the Scriptures, which brought peace to the two disciples. As the three gathered together they broke bread together and their eyes were opened and realized that the one they met was Jesus. Breaking the bread together had served them to open their eyes to the fullness of God’s presence in their midst.
There is another story about bread that is found in all four gospels. Remember how Jesus fed the 5,000 with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish? The people’s hunger is satisfied at least for the moment. But in John chapter six, the people returned for food asking Jesus to provide more nourishment.
Jesus’ response confused the crowds. Instead of bread, Jesus offers himself as the bread of life. Jesus invites them to feed on him, because the physical bread will not last forever. The people were disappointed and some probably offended. They seem to be caught up in a literal interpretation of Jesus’ words rather than taking them as symbolism. Jesus offers himself as the Word that sustains the Spirit, bringing life in all its fullness. There is the physical, but also the spiritual.
This bread and cup that are placed on the table of the Lord stands as a reminder that God is with us and in us empowering and encouraging all people so we can continue to our ultimate destination. For this journey we need the spiritual bread to sustain our spiritual body. Through Jesus, the bread of life whom we feed upon, we find oneness with God. This union with God through Christ serves to sustain us for the journey.
Because this is World Communion Sunday we are reminded that millions of other Christians throughout the world have this same invitation today. So as we join together with Christians worldwide and partake of the bread of life, we share the nourishment both physically and spiritually. We give thanks to the God that showed us true love through Jesus the Christ.
As we think about the relationship with many who differ from us during World Communion Sunday, reconciliation among all races and nationalities should be a priority. We should build bridges between people who are different from us. It was just 60 years ago in America, lunch counters in many states were segregated. If you were Black, you were not allowed to dine at the same lunch counter beside a white person. And what was true of the lunch counters was also true of many churches in America. The sad thing was lunch counters became desegregated before many churches were. The church of Jesus should be the most open place on earth, welcoming all people, young and old, rich or poor, Black and white, all races and people both gay and straight.
In the story of the feeding of the 5,000, which began as a perception of scarcity, became the story of God’s abundance. When it comes to feeding on the bread of life, do believers come to the table with a sense of scarcity or abundance? Will you take a small bite or a big chunk of life into your body and spirit?
AMEN
