Theme of the Day: The Only Food We Really Need
As Jesus concluded his Bread of Life discourse, many said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” and walked away. Read carefully. They did not say the teaching was hard to understand. The meaning was clear enough. Jesus was teaching that the only chance to enjoy eternity in heaven is through a close connection to him. He is the only bread that gives eternal life. That isn’t hard to understand, but it is hard to accept. Eating this bread means reordering our lives so that Jesus is by far our highest priority. It means loving the Blesser infinitely more than his earthly blessings. It means realizing that Jesus is the only thing we really need. If we had nothing but him, we would not lack anything that ultimately matters.
Jesus watches the multitudes walking away from him. He turns to the Twelve—he turns to us this week—and he asks, “You do not want to leave me too, do you?” May the Spirit give us the wisdom to answer, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
John 6:51-69
Joshua 24:1-2,14-18
Hebrews 11:24-28
Psalm 119D
699 – Take the World, but Give Me Jesus
631 – Speak, O Savior, I Am Listening
717 – What Is the World to Me
715 – Let Me Be Yours Forever
698 – Seek Where You May to Find a Way
Prayer of the Day: Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us to know your Son, Jesus, to be the way, the truth, and the life that we may boldly confess him to be the Christ and steadfastly walk in the way that leads to life eternal; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.