Text: John 6:47-51
This sermon was preached as part of our second joint worship service with our neighboring Slovak Lutheran church, CZ ECAV Staré Mesto, during the season of Lent. We are grateful to their Pastors Erika Sokola and Anna Polcková, who have graciously invited us to worship with them and have been willing to work through language and church community differences to share these special moments together as brothers and sisters in Christ!
In the gospel of John, there are seven sayings of Jesus known as the "I Am" sayings. Jesus refers to Himself as the "light of the world," the "door to the sheep," the "true vine," and the "Good Shepherd." Jesus also refers to Himself as "resurrection and life" and "the way, the truth, and the life." Finally, in our Gospel reading this morning, Jesus refers to himself as “the bread of life." For those of us familiar with the Bible or Christian theology, the term "I Am" refers to the Exodus, where God’s name is "I Am Who I Am." Or for those of us who are less knowledgeable about the Bible or new to the faith, this passage can be a moment of inspiration, a beautiful expression of who the Jesus is. But maybe you are like me, asking, "What does the Jesus, as the "Bread of Life," have to do with my daily life?"
A few weeks ago, I was having coffee with a man I had not seen in a long time. He came to me for help eight years ago when I was serving as a chaplain. He experienced so much violence in his life, and this trauma caused him great suffering. So much in fact, that he tried to take his own life. I was able to help him heal by finding him a suitable therapist. When we met most recently, he talked about the many difficulties that he continues to face in everyday life. He noted that life often feels like too much of a struggle for him, and sometimes he wonders if he will ever be able to fully recover and live a normal life. I replied, "The fact that you are still here and are still willing to keep fighting shows who you are and what you believe in." He was silent for a moment, and then said, "yes, I guess that is reason enough to keep hoping."
The Apostle Paul writes, "Not only that, but we also boast of our sufferings, for we know that suffering leads to perseverance, perseverance to character, and character to hope." Paul is not saying that God causes suffering in our lives in order to inspire hope in them. On the contrary, it is a confession that God is with us in our daily struggles. We know that God is with us because of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Jesus' suffering and perseverance are not only an expression of God's love, but also a sign that God IS love. Jesus is the living expression of a God who is loving. In our own lives, we are assured of this, even if it seems to us our struggles will overwhelm us. Trusting in this assurance is reason enough for hope. Such hope is like bread that nourishes not only our body, but also our heart, mind and spirit.
As people of faith, we encounter two realities daily. The first reality is suffering. There is much suffering in the world caused by corruption, hatred, discrimination and injustice. There is also a lot of personal suffering - alcoholism, anger, guilt, worthlessness, low self-esteem, and chronic diseases of body and mind. And then there is the ultimate suffering - our death. This first reality—the presence of suffering—can be overwhelming, and the idea that life is hopeless is therefore palpable and very real. But the second reality can give us hope: God always offers the world and each of us the gift of Jesus Christ. God did not leave us to live in suffering and isolation. God is with us because He loves us, and God gives us gifts to lift us up from our suffering, which will not last forever.
God gives us the gift of the church, of a community in which we suffer and endure life together, with God and with each other. Such a gift brings hope when we pray together. When we worship together. When we share the body and blood of Christ in bread and wine- together. In a world that gives us so many reasons to remain separated and isolated from one another, the gift of community brings us hope when people from all walks of life come together. And it can also bring us hope when two churches, like ours today, decide to worship - together.
May this gift of hope from the God of love nourish you – not only during Lent, but also in your daily life as you serve others who also need this gift of love that brings hope. Amen.