The first three verses in our Gospel Reading this morning overlap with last Sunday’s when Father Andrew spoke about how simple it is to be a Christian and inherit eternal life by eating bread and drinking wine. This is food for the soul. Jesus refers to himself as the bread of life, that those who eat of it will never be hungry again. Jesus is talking about that inner contentment, that peace which passes all human understanding, regardless of our circumstances. He had a conversation with a woman at a well and told her that if she drank from him she would never be thirsty again. She was an outcast from society but Jesus knew everything about her, made a connection with her, understood her and loved her. Some folk think that this is too good to be true, how can the God who created the universe love me in all my messes?

God’s love is a gift freely given by the creator of the universe and all God asks is that we share in communion relationship with God and one another. This means being born again in the spirit, into the world of faith, a world at odds with a world where things need to be proven to be believed. To receive the gift of God in us means opening our eyes, ears and hearts to see and hear beyond the world we create for ourselves and step out into mystery. We can choose to live life in our own strength or receive God’s strength. Jesus said no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them. The Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit all work together to open our ears, eyes and hearts to enable us to live in the upside down kingdom of God. What an exciting kingdom it is!

Many of us reject Jesus, as some of his early disciples did, because his way is too hard. It means living by faith and trust. Jesus reversed the social norms. All those who were outsiders according to the norms of society and believed to be impure according to the law: the poor, the landless, lepers, tax collectors, and women were accepted by him. Our social standing counts for nothing in God’s kingdom. What does count is that we love God and love others.

To do this we need to put on the Armour of God against Spiritual battles of doubt and temptation. The breast plate of righteousness, sword of scripture, shield of faithfulness, helmet of salvation, feet shod to spread the gospel of peace. We become part of a kingdom that lives in a different way. God’s kingdom belongs to the poor, the peacemakers, the merciful and those who hunger and thirst for God. In this kingdom, people from the margins of society will be lifted up to places of honour and seated in the best seats at the banquet. This kingdom knows no geographic boundaries, no political parties, all citizens are equally loved as children of God. It does not advance through power and might, but through acts of love, joy and peace, missions of mercy, kindness and humility.

This kingdom has come, not with trumpets but with a baby’s cry, not by defeating enemies but by forgiveness, not on the back of a warhorse but on the back of a donkey, not with triumph and conquest but with death and resurrection.

In our readings three voices speak to us today about making our choice:

Joshua challenges us to choose: ‘if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.’

Peter answered Jesus: ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.’

Paul: ‘Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.’

Angela Stewart (lay minister).