Sunday August 16th, 2015 12th Sunday after Pentecost John 6:51-58
"But the one who eats this bread will live forever." (verse 58)
Some years ago I spent part of a summer in Switzerland visiting relatives who happened at the time to be scything hay on a steep slope with a magnificent view of the Bernese Alps. I commented on the beauty of the mountains, but since beauty is an abstract term, I was unable to communicate my observation even though I thought I had a fair grasp of the local dialect. I was referring to the beauty of the scenery; they thought I was referring to the quality of the hay they were cutting. We were speaking at a cross purpose. One interprets things in terms of that with which one is familiar.
Jesus and his audience are at a cross purpose. His audience was accustomed to seeing a familiar substance in a certain way. Jesus is however speaking in spiritual terms of believers making his flesh part of themselves in order to become part of him. In making reference to the death he is to die, he is getting ahead of those who cling to old beliefs. Truly he is speaking to them at a cross purpose.
Lord Jesus, help us to understand that your bread of life nourishes us forever. Amen. — AEA
Contributed by A Cross Purpose
Some years ago I spent part of a summer in Switzerland visiting relatives who happened at the time to be scything hay on a steep slope with a magnificent view of the Bernese Alps. I commented on the beauty of the mountains, but since beauty is an abstract term, I was unable to communicate my observation even though I thought I had a fair grasp of the local dialect. I was referring to the beauty of the scenery; they thought I was referring to the quality of the hay they were cutting. We were speaking at a cross purpose. One interprets things in terms of that with which one is familiar.
Jesus and his audience are at a cross purpose. His audience was accustomed to seeing a familiar substance in a certain way. Jesus is however speaking in spiritual terms of believers making his flesh part of themselves in order to become part of him. In making reference to the death he is to die, he is getting ahead of those who cling to old beliefs. Truly he is speaking to them at a cross purpose.
