John 6:60-69
Presented August 27th, 2006, by J.D. Kline
The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
It’s an intriguing passage, this story in John’s Gospel suggesting that many of Jesus’ followers lament that his teachings are too difficult—so difficult, in fact, that they question, “Who can accept [this teaching]?” (John 6:60). So difficult, indeed, that many turn away from Jesus. It’s particularly intriguing that the specific teaching that prompts this turning away is not one of those commandments generally considered to be the most challenging. It’s not a call to love one’s enemies, to turn the other cheek in the face of conflict, to go the extra mile in relationships, to take on the character of a servant. No, the particularly troubling teaching that prompts this turning away is one that has to do with the very character of Jesus himself, and with the nature of relationship with Jesus.
The incident follows on the heels of the familiar story of Jesus feeding the 5000. You may remember that John’s version of that story is followed by the crowds wanting to compel Jesus to serve as their king. Like that early crowd, we too sometimes find ourselves wanting to force Jesus to fit into our expectations. We are sometimes tempted to imagine Jesus as one who will make our lives easier. The crowds who witnessed the remarkable feeding of the 5000 did precisely that; they wanted a king who would make sure that their material needs were always met. But Jesus is quick to remind the crowd that the abundant life he offers goes far deeper than material security. Indeed, when Jesus makes the bold assertion, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), he is claiming an ability to satisfy yearnings much more significant than a simple daily loaf of bread. Jesus is proclaiming that he can guide and usher us into a life of connectedness with God. When Jesus announces, “I am the bread of life,” he promises to open us to a new way of living, to a life of self-giving love and compassion, a life of mercy and peace and grace beyond measure.