THE BIBLE – TODAY’S TREASURE HUNT
COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 9 06-08-06
2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a2
Nathan the prophet did not want to be a victim of the King’s power. So he told this story. David was quite clear on how he would punish another person while hiding his own wrong doing. Nathan, therefore, stands for all those who work for the rule of law, a strong sense of social justice, realizing that we are all subject to a higher power.
Psalms 51:1-12
This psalm traditionally refers to the David/Nathan encounter. But it’s sincere prayer, its spiritual tension, and transparent honesty moves it far beyond that event. Its importance arises from it’s theme of forgiveness, confession, and renewal through the Grace of God. The Psalmist becomes acutely aware that he and every child are born into a way of life that needs to learn inward peace The clean heart and right spirit are of God’s creation.
Ephesians 4:1-16
The second half of this letter deals with how Christians can live a public life. Paul appeals for a real effort to find the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. This way Christians establish a recognizable body of public peaceful living. There was no more conflict between Jew and Gentile. What tragedies in history could have been avoided by living out Paul’s advice!
John 6:24-35
Jesus faced, and rejected, the temptation of basing his whole ministry on feeding people. John describes how Jesus now tries to explain what it means to truly feed people. That is, to satisfy a deeper and more complex set of spiritual hungers. This is one of the big themes which will be part of Jesus’ ministry. Think of the hungers now emerging in the dreadful conflict in the Middle East.
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