11/16/16
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
How does Jesus give life to people? He gives his life. It’s as simple as that. He gives his body to eat and his blood to drink. This is for the life of the world.
Jewish law clearly forbids drinking blood or eating meat that has blood in it. Is this offensive? Not only does it violate Jewish law, but almost every culture is plain that eating humans is not permitted. It’s something which defiles us.
The whole idea of Jesus dying for my sin, doing something that I couldn’t do, and being able to save me without my cooperation is offensive. Yet it’s the way Jesus is talking in John chapter six. What response will we have? Do we lay down our arrogance and trust that he is able to accomplish salvation? Do we persist in our attempts at self-determination? Jesus is very plain about it. We have no hope outside of his sacrifice on our behalf. We may as well trust him.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
How does Jesus give life to people? He gives his life. It’s as simple as that. He gives his body to eat and his blood to drink. This is for the life of the world.
Jewish law clearly forbids drinking blood or eating meat that has blood in it. Is this offensive? Not only does it violate Jewish law, but almost every culture is plain that eating humans is not permitted. It’s something which defiles us.
The whole idea of Jesus dying for my sin, doing something that I couldn’t do, and being able to save me without my cooperation is offensive. Yet it’s the way Jesus is talking in John chapter six. What response will we have? Do we lay down our arrogance and trust that he is able to accomplish salvation? Do we persist in our attempts at self-determination? Jesus is very plain about it. We have no hope outside of his sacrifice on our behalf. We may as well trust him.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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