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For the fifth and final week in a row, the lectionary invites us to ponder a passage from chapter 6 of the gospel of John. Today’s reading is John 6:56-69. The English Standard Version supplies it the title “The Words of Eternal Life.”[1] What do the words “eternal life” mean? For the majority of people, …

Do you have eternal life? Read More »

For the fourth week in a row, the lectionary invites us to remain within the portion of the gospel of John which the English Standard Version titles “I Am the Bread of Life.” Last week, we ended at verse 51. This week we’re invited to ponder John 6:51-58. In these verses, John tells us that …

“This is my body” gave birth to “hocus pocus” Read More »

This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder John 6:35, 41-51. These verses lie within a longer account in the same chapter. As I said last week, the English Standard Version titles the longer account “I Am the Bread of Life.”[1] Last week we saw that Jesus told a crowd to stop thinking of how …

What happens when we “eat Jesus”? Read More »

This Sunday the lectionary invites us to read John 6:24-35. It’s a portion of a passage[1] to which the English Standard Version supplies the heading “I am the Bread of Life.” Last week, I considered the account of Jesus multiplying 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed about 20,000 people. I suggested that feeding might’ve …

Lord Jesus, what food endures to eternal life? Read More »

This Sunday the lectionary invites us to ponder John 6:1-21. The English Standard Version supplies the passage with two headings. The first is “Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand.” The second is “Jesus Walks on Water.” I’ll discuss only the feeding of the 5,000. When we read the Bible, we must always bear in mind that …

Was feeding of the 5,000 Jesus’ most political act? Read More »

This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder two sets of verses in Mark 6. The first set is verses 30-34. It’s part of a passage which the English Standard Version titles “Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand.” I title the set “Jesus and the sheep without a shepherd.”[1] I’ll only speak about this set. It’s …

What might Jesus say to our shepherds? Read More »

This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to reflect on Mark 6:14-29. The English Standard Version supplies the passage with the title “The Death of John the Baptist.” Mark puts this passage right after his account of the twelve apostles, the twelve members of Jesus’ inner circle, returning victorious, happy, from their mission trip. He puts …

The preacher’s head at the king’s birthday feast Read More »

This week, the lectionary invites us to consider Mark 6:1-13. It’s in two parts. The English Standard Version titles the first part “Jesus Rejected at Nazareth.” It titles the second part “Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles.” Lately, I’ve been reading about Jack Ma, founder of Ali Baba. Ali Baba is an online shopping platform, …

How to compare the stories of Jesus and Jack Ma? Read More »