I speak to you this morning with a certain trepidation. For a couple of reasons. First, I am going to bring up a topic we are all so very tired of hearing about – COVID. Second, because I am preaching on the sixth chapter of John’s gospel. This particular chapter is not for the faint of heart. It presents a story arc that is deeply theologically complex and sometimes incomprehensible. No one could even begin to unpack it in a few minutes. So I am not going to try.

Instead, I want to look at that story arc through the lens of today’s epistle, specifically this sentence: Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

 At the same time, I would like us to consider what it might mean to us as we enter a new phase of the COVID journey. Earlier this week, Bishop Geoff sent a letter to clergy and corporations outlining the church’s response to the easing of restrictions in light of our role as beloved children of God. We will take a look at that.

With all that in mind, let’s take a look at the sixth chapter of John’s gospel. Churches that follow the lectionary have spent the last three weeks in this chapter. Most will continue with it next week. This is the only sustained reading of John in the three-year lectionary which ought to encourage us pay attention. Rather than focusing just on today’s reading, though, I am going to give an overview of the chapter as a continuous story, minus the walking on water.

As the chapter begins, a crowd of people, excited by the signs they’d been seeing, were following Jesus around. Apparently, they had given no thought to what they were going to eat while they did this, so Jesus fed them, physical bread for 5 thousand physically hungry people. The crowd, even more impressed than they already had been, tried to force Jesus into being king, however he evaded them and they lost sight of him. The next day, though, some of these same people show up in Capernaum and ask “how did you get here?”. Jesus’ response probably wasn’t what they expected. “You’re only here for the food,” he said. “You totally missed the point of the signs.” A conversation ensued in which the crowd continued to miss the point and continued to hint about food.

Jesus told the crowd they were looking for the wrong kind of nourishment from him. He had something far greater than a few bread and fish to offer. He 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." Now, at that point the people started getting testy, muttering who does he think he is kinds of remarks because not only was Jesus not doing magical signs and not giving them free food, he was making increasingly disturbing statements about who he was.

The claim Jesus was making was actually shocking to the point of blasphemy. He alone had seen the Father in heaven. The Father had sent him from heaven to be the living bread that feeds all those who believe in him. And, eating it, they would not die. He, Jesus, would raise them up to eternal life. These were pretty wild statements coming from a guy who grew up in the neighbourhood and whose folks lived down the road. He was claiming authority that no human being ever had.

And then, just to make it a little worse, he added; “the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh", which understandably, lead to more muttering. But Jesus wasn’t done yet. Using visceral, even vulgar, language that we don’t really hear in the translation, Jesus said “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life and I will raise them up on the last day, for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.”

We should not be surprised to read, then, that many who were disciples decided that this was just too much to accept. To which Jesus responded, “Does this offend you?”. Of course it offended. Apart from the obvious fact that eating of human beings is definitely not kosher, drinking of blood of any kind was strictly forbidden. The images Jesus’ words raised were guaranteed to offend, guaranteed to turn off people who were only there for the food.

Repeatedly in John’s gospel, we hear Jesus speaking in metaphor about who he is. In chapter 4, he talks of the living water that will give eternal life. In chapter 10, he is both the shepherd and the gate to the sheepfold. In chapter 11, he is the resurrection and the life.

What all of these have in common with chapter 6 is that each one tells us that life comes through Jesus. He is, as he says in chapter 14 the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through him.

C.S. Lewis wrote: If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity. Why? Because Jesus demands our full allegiance. The disciples who did not abandon him after his unacceptable teaching were committing themselves to stay for the long haul. Peter said “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Jesus demands our full allegiance, our recognition that he is all we need, that it is only through him that we can have the fullness of life we were made for and that is a life changing experience. An experience that requires a radical change in us as well.

As we come to Jesus and acknowledge that he is the source and end of our lives, we dwell in him and he in us. Because this is so, Paul said in today’s epistle, we are to be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Living in love can be a kind of abstract, feel good, concept unless we bring it into our own concrete situation. Paul makes a point of saying we are to live in love as Christ loved us, which means tangible, sacrificial behaviours that make a difference for the life of the world. We are not often called to make huge sacrifices, but the small, day to day ones can often be challenging in themselves.

This week, a significant change was made to restrictions intended to limit the spread of COVID. I’m pretty sure that for many people, the fact that things like wearing masks will now be recommended rather that required will simply mean we don’t have to do it anymore. And that is a very tempting response, because we are all weary of restrictions, most of us are fully vaccinated, and, we just want some normal life. Bishop Geoff, however, has reminded us that we, as the body of Christ, are called to something different. In his letter to clergy and wardens this week, he highlighted the importance of public worship to the mission we are called to in Christ, but emphasised that it is not all about us. I quote:

Reengaging in-person gathering means we must also consider the burdens placed upon our health-care system(s) by COVID, burdens that dramatically reduced treatments, surgeries and responses to non-COVID related health concerns. We are not yet clear of the effects of COVID 19, and as a responsible institution it is incumbent upon the Church to lead intelligently and compassionately.
We the leaders of our diocese and parishes, both lay and ordained, have a duty of care to the most vulnerable in our midst. At this time those most on my mind are adults who for medical reasons cannot be vaccinated and children 12 and under who cannot yet be vaccinated. The health and welfare of our children weighs particularly heavy on my heart and consumes my thoughts.
They are our future and they are relying on each of us to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure their safety so that they may live into that future. I ask all of us to reach out to parents of young children and seek their opinions on how we may best protect their children. By carefully listening we can help to reduce the stress that is very much a part of their daily lives during this pandemic.

 

The bishop also noted that, although presiders are not required to mask for in-person worship, he will choose to because, and I quote, it is not about me, but those whom I serve.

This, then, is one way we can abide in Christ, to live in love as Christ loves us, by giving a Christ-like response to all in this time of pandemic. Yes, within our church and our neighbourhoods, but also in the world. Through PWRDF you can make a donation to support vaccinations in parts of the world who do not have easy access. This is a way to give thanks for our own vaccinations. Closer to home, you can respond in love even to your neighbour who is living like the pandemic is over, placing themselves or others at risk.

I encourage each of us to consider ways in which we can deepen our dependence upon Jesus, the bread of life. Through prayer and scripture reading, through writing and conversation with friends. And also to consider other concrete ways in which we can live in love for the world.

In the words of Bishop Geoff: May you find God’s blessing abounding in your heart, the face of Jesus in your neighbourhood, and the Spirit signalling refreshing rains and new hope. Amen.