Tag Archives: Jesus

G*d’s Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity, Messiah, Savior

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on August 9, 2015
Tags: Jesus,   

Is Jesus’ Bread Gluten Free? — Rev. David J. Schreffler

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August 9, 2015

Sunday

“It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6:45-51

“When Jesus offers himself as the Bread of Life those who are listening find it difficult to eat. Over the next four chapters of John (6-10) the opposition to Jesus grows. The world is not ready to change its diet even if their diet only makes them sick. Jesus proclaims that he is Israel’s food and all of the needs and longings of God’s people can be found in him. “The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The problem is that “Jesus Bread” is difficult to eat.

If Jesus is the bread of life, which provides for our ultimate human needs, then why does it leave us so hungry or why is it so difficult to take a bite?”

“Is Jesus’ Bread Gluten Free?” August 5, 2012 (“The Hardest Question” website)
by Roy M. Terry IV

Why is Jesus’ Bread so hard to eat? Of course, we must define “the bread” of Jesus. When Jesus says “I am the bread of life” — he is referring to himself — his teachings, his ways, his love, his mercy, his grace. It is so hard to eat because it seems so simple and so radically different at the same time. It is so radically different because it redefines how G*d wants people to treat one another, to love one another, to serve one another, to accept one another, and to love and serve G*d. No longer are we supposed to put people outside of community if they are different from us — we are to love them. No longer are we to judge others, unless we welcome the same judgment with which we judge others. And, we are to love all people — all people — not just the ones we find easy to love.

The teaching of Jesus is also simple because it comes down to two words — love and serve. Love and serve others — love and serve G*d. Simple, right? Love and serve G*d and love and serve our neighbors — putting G*d and everyone else in front of our own needs. Not so simple when we look to live into this reality — when we look to eat the bread of Jesus and then show others that this truly matters in our lives. This is why Jesus’ bread could be so hard to eat — because once we do we should live as if it really matters to us. And if it really matters, then let’s show it.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on August 5, 2015
Tags: Jesus,   

The Words of Eternal Life — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

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August 5, 2015

“Jesus said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. Then many of his disciples, when they heard these things, said, “This is a difficult saying! Who can understand it?” When Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining about this, he said to them, “Does this cause you to be offended? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascending where he was before? The Spirit is the one who gives life; human nature is of no help! The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had already known from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) So Jesus added, “Because of this I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has allowed him to come.” After this many of his disciples quit following him and did not accompany him any longer. So Jesus said to the twelve, “You donʼt want to go away too, do you?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God!” John 6:60-69

“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” Do you think that includes Judas? Judas is still part of the Twelve even in the upper room the night before Jesus died, yet in his heart and soul it’s very possible that Judas now turns away. And Jesus knew it. He knew right at this moment that Judas would be a traitor. Jesus knew even a few years ago when he was deciding whether or not to call Judas as a disciple that Judas would betray him. And still, Jesus chose him. Still, Jesus loved him. We want to scream out to Jesus, “He’s not worth saving!” but Jesus knew that about Judas, and knows that about us. Jesus knows I will betray him again with my sins, and he still loves me. I’m not worth saving. You’re not worth saving. Jesus knows that. But he loves us anyway. He never gave up on Judas, even to the end, and Jesus will never give up on you. So don’t leave his life-changing love. Don’t turn away from his call to discipleship no matter how difficult. Don’t give up learning about him and from him so that you can better follow him.” “Follow Jesus as a Life Long Learner” (gracedowntown website, Milwaukee, WI – September 6, 2009)

“Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” The words for eternal life were intended for all people. They were intended for Peter, Andrew, James, John, Judas, Paul, Luther, Melanchthon, Calvin, Hobbes, Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as Hitler, Jim Jones, and your greatest enemy. We may think that these words of eternal life were only for “those worth saving”, but these words are all inclusive words — because Jesus thinks all people are worth trying to save. We cannot give up on Jesus, no matter how wrong we think our lives have turned out, because Jesus will not give up on us.

Pastor Dave