St Margaret's Church, Northam

Reflection 15th April 2024 from Rev Penny Body

Gospel John 6 verses 22 to 29

The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (NIV)

Reflection

This passage sits between the miracle feeding of the 5000 people by the side of the lake, Jesus’s subsequent crossing of the water by walking upon it, and the discourse with the crowd about how he himself is the bread of life and how whoever comes to him eats this true bread of heaven will never be hungry and will have eternal life. If you like you can read verses 1 to 59 of John 6 to get a fuller idea of the sweep and shape of this narrative.

For me the passage hinges on verses 28 and 29. The question “what must we do to do the works God requires” – and Jesus’s answer “the work of God is this – to believe in the one he has sent”.

For any that are feeling the strain of trying to fit too much into too little time, or feeling overwhelmed with the task ahead of them, this answer comes as a blessed relief of pressure. An outpouring of breath and a sense of peace. Jesus – as he does so many times – is asking us first and foremost to abide in him. We perhaps think also of his invitation to “Come to me, all you who are weary …, and his teaching about the vine in John 15 – that we are to remain in him – branches of his vine. And in verse 55 of this chapter he prefigures that by saying that whoever eats his bread – his flesh – will remain in him.

First and foremost God calls us to himself – through the Son – in the power of the Holy Spirit. That is our first and most fundamental call. To come to him, to know him and be known by him and to rest in the presence of his greatness, his love and his peace. To eat his bread and drink his cup, to learn from him, to follow him, to believe in him.

And only then, after we have accepted this invitation, we may feel moved to respond to him – and when we do, we can be sure that all our “work” will be flowing from his presence and in his strength.

We may feel called to a specific vocation in the church or the world. The love we are filled with from Jesus may fill us so completely that it has no where to go but to spill over from our lives into the lives of those we meet. Our compassion similarly may run so deeply because of the compassion we have experienced with Jesus on the cross. Our lives may shine with the joy of the Easter resurrection – he is not dead – he is alive – he is alive in me.

But it all starts with doing the works that God requires. Believing in the one he has sent. Remaining in him.

It might sound restful to begin with – and it is – but in a very particular way – and it is not an easy option. It is a full commitment of our life into his hands. It requires a certain level of discipline, humility, lots of prayer, honesty and so much more – but the richness of the life in Christ that results knows no bounds.

And yes – I am preaching to myself!!!

Amen

The Collect for Easter 3

Almighty Father,

who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord:

give us such knowledge of his presence with us,

that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life

and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

St Margaret's Church, Northam

St Margaret's Church, Northam

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Vickey Moth - TCMC Administrator

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St Margaret's Church, Northam

St Margaret's Church, Northam

Get in touch

Vickey Moth - TCMC Administrator

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