Can We Turn Back Now?!

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
August 27th 2006

Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
Sermon Series: “The Lords Supper Still Matters, But Why?”
“Can We Turn Back Now??!”
John 6: 56-69

Today marks the end of our five week attempt to better understand the Lord’s Supper. It was my hope that today we would hear something inspiring which would send us out refreshed, renewed, and with an increased awareness of the many meanings of the Lord’s Supper. However, this passage does not end quite like I would have hoped. Many disciples have decided not to follow Jesus because of the difficulty of his teaching. And, Jesus is not sure if the last twelve disciples will want to stay with him. Personally, I would like to see this passage end with a more uplifting story. It is another example of how Jesus does not always work the way we always expect.
All of Jesus’ talk about eating his flesh and drinking his blood is an invitation. It is an invitation, not to participate in a monthly ritual, but to participate in a new reality. Our participation in the Lord’s Supper joins us with Jesus in witnessing to a new way of living that is often at odds with the culture in which we live. In our society, the rules of division and exclusion, of who is welcome and who is not, are clear. While churches that claim to follow Jesus are often at the forefront in enforcing the exclusion, Jesus himself is in direct opposition to this when he invites all people to follow. In fact, the only requirement for fellowship with Jesus is that they do not try to keep others from joining in the fellowship. Unfortunately the followers of Jesus have a hard time accepting this.
The invitation to join in the Lord’s Supper is itself an invitation to follow in the way of Jesus Christ. It means we are to live our lives in such as way that we give witness to the new reality which Jesus embodied throughout his life, death and resurrection. At this table, we are to imitate the practices of Jesus by casting aside the barriers which divide God’s children. At this table, our human practice of separating God’s children based on race, class, gender, ability, sexuality is reveled for what it is: Sin. Being welcomed to the table, in Jesus name, means that all are; welcomed, loved and affirmed. No exceptions.
Today, Jesus finally takes a break from talking about eating and drinking his flesh and blood. By the time he is finished many disciples are not happy. In fact, they are offended. During his ministry Jesus seems to casually discard the traditions of the faith. Our passage is no exception. We can almost hear the crowd grumbling. How can he say such things? Doesn’t Jesus know what the scriptures say? What Jesus is teaching here, and throughout his ministry, is so difficult, so troubling, and so offensive that all but the twelve leave! (It is clear that Jesus does not know much about how to build a successful church…)
As the disciples, who are too challenged by Jesus, leave they say: “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” It is almost as if they are hoping Jesus will change his ways if they threaten to leave. However, it is clear Jesus does not intend to change. And, as a result, “…many of (Jesus’) disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.” Not content to leave well enough alone, Jesus turns to the disciples and says: “Do you also wish to go away?” This sort of encounter is not exactly what we expect from Jesus.
Because of the nature and tone of this encounter there have been more than few misinterpretations of this passage. Most often, misuse of this, and other passages like it, has overemphasized the exclusionary tone of Jesus’ speech. As a result the difficult nature of Jesus invitation has been used as the justification for the church to exclude people in Jesus name. Christians have, and continue to, erect barriers (often claiming scriptural authority) in an attempt to show the seriousness of Jesus call. However, this practice often looses sight of the goal and instead becomes an end unto itself. This is usually followed by questions like: “Who is saved, and who is not?” Instead of sharing the message of Jesus Christ, the church has too often hidden the good news behind walls of exclusion.
From the moment Jesus began his earthly ministry, we human beings have been troubled and even offended that Jesus really welcomes people like tax collectors and sinners. The egalitarian and communitarian nature of Jesus’ call has often proved too radical for the disciples. With great diligence the followers of Jesus has looked for the exemption clause. After all, decency and order demand a solid set of rules defining the welcome and the unwelcome. But every time the church finds its exemption or creates more rules regarding who is welcome, Jesus speaks a resounding no! Like it or not, Jesus says, all are welcome. And when you follow me, you are to do the same.
This is not a new struggle and it is one with which the church will always struggle. Many of the very first followers of Jesus were un-able to accept this teaching. Our human nature seems to simply be inclined to cling to the ways of division. Because of this reality then, our table practice must become a living witness which shows our love of division and exclusivist practices for what they really are: Sin. At this table we must show that all the walls of division are broken down in Jesus Christ. And when we leave here we are called to share this radically inclusive welcome to a divided world.
Over the last five weeks we have heard a great deal about the Lord’s Supper. At this table, we are reminded that our identity is found in Jesus Christ. We are renewed in our calling to serve God outside the walls of the building. And, we are invited to come and give witness to a table fellowship that breaks down the barriers which divide. Yet despite our intensive focus on the Lord’s Supper, we have only scratched the surface of the meanings of the great mystery of our faith. Our hope is that this is only a beginning where, for the first time or once again, we have caught a glimpse of the new reality found in Jesus Christ.
I end this morning with the three invitations to the Lord’s Supper from the Book of Common Worship. Listen to their words and may you find one which speaks to you so that the next time you come to this table your are indeed, renewed, refreshed, and reenergized in your journey of faith:
This is the joyful feast of the people of God. They will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.

According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with his disciples, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him. This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast which he has prepared.

Jesus said: Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Amen.