Words of Eternal Life: 22 August, 2021
John 6:56-69
The conversation in today’s lesson ends with the disciples, many of whom find this saying too hard, beginning to fall away: “But among you there are some who do not believe” (v 64). It is about believing, after all, and Peter confesses the urgency and character of belief in his response to Jesus: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God” (vv 68–69). What a good belief and reason to believe: there is no other place to go—only Christ. Perhaps that is reason enough for the church’s evangelical calling to administer the bread and wine of heaven each Lord’s Day, and for people to believe enough to receive it. –– John E. Smith
Jesus asks his disciples whether what he is teaching them “offends” them (Jn 6:51b). To be sure, there are difficult teachings throughout scripture, but when we are offended by them—particularly the teachings of Christ—that offense is usually rooted in the fact that our current beliefs and behaviors do not agree with what is being taught. When the Christian is confronted with this conflict, what is the appropriate Christian response of the individual so that the conflict might be properly resolved? –– Daniel Lund III
Ephesians 6:10-20
The apostle calls his church to be strong in the Lord as it faces temptation and difficult testing: “Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (v 11).
Clearly, the ability to remain faithful to Christ in the midst of a world promoting other priorities depends upon soldier-like armament and discipline. The text takes very seriously the difficult work of perseverance in the faith. It acknowledges that preparatory disciplines, mutual reinforcement, and endurance are required. Further, soldiering on is not something we can just do on our own.
Our strength is not ours, but found “in the strength of (God’s) power” (v 10). It requires the familiar “putting on” that we associate readily with baptism, the garment of salvation, putting on Christ, entry into the church, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We are to receive and gird ourselves in God’s armor and weaponry, that is, with truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Spirit and the word, prayer and supplication, and particularly praying for and lifting up one another—"all the saints.” –– John E. Smith
Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
Joshua gave the Israelites a choice: serve God or serve someone else. The Israelites chose to serve God, noting the good things that God had done for them in the past. Each day Christians and non-Christians alike make a choice on whom to serve that day, whether it is God, another person or, more likely, themselves. Do Christians recognize that each day they must purposefully elect to serve God lest they serve by default someone else? –– Daniel Lund III
John E. Smith has served as a Methodist pastor for many years.
Daniel Lund III, is a lawyer who holds an MA in theological studies from Duke Divinity School.
Homily Service 42, no. 3 (2009): 133-145.