In the Gospel reading set to go with Ephesians, the Jews
were complaining about what Jesus had said about being the Bread of Life. [John
6:41] They were angered by his words. They felt indignant about his claims that
were, to be honest, confronting. Their smouldering rage led to them having
Jesus killed.
The Gospel of John was written around the end of the first
century after the split between Jesus’s followers and the Jews. While there is
little doubt that there was trouble between Jesus and some Jews in his life
time, it seems that this has been expanded to include all Jews by the time this
Gospel was written. Jesus’ claim to be the Bread of Life and likening himself
to the manna in the wilderness would have seemed outrageous to many. However it
can be a source of strength and encouragement for those fighting injustice.
If we are true followers of Jesus, acknowledging that we
feel angry about an injustice is never enough. We are called to follow Jesus’
example of doing something to rectify the situation. What God requires is
justice.[Micah 6:8] Feeling anger is to be followed by action by us as members
of the body of Christ. Grumbling and complaining among ourselves is not enough.
Justice for all is to be top of our agendas and we will be guided into the area
of our work by examining our feelings of anger. Therefore, “Be angry, but do not
sin and do not let the sun go down” without having begun to address the
situation that aroused your anger.
May be richly blessed as a passionate member of Christ’s
body ready to discern and respond to injustice.
Rev Julianne Parker (for full sermon see sermons page)
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