Jesus is the living bread, and those who eat this bread will live forever. Let us eat our fill of the living bread in our worship today.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we want everything on the cheap, including eternal life.
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes we aren't prepared to work for what we want.
Christ, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes we're so familiar with your sacrifice on the cross that it fails to touch us.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 6:51-58
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." [52] The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" [53] So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. [54] Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; [55] for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. [56] Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. [57] Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. [58] This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever."
Story:
Until the age of about seven, children take everything literally, and clearly, from today's Bible story, plenty of adults take things literally too. But some things aren't intended to be literal, but are metaphorical. In this story, Bonnie is very upset that a promise is apparently broken, until her mother explains what the promise was really about.
The Ladder
Bonnie raced home from Rainbows full of excitement. It was only her first week, because she had only just had her fifth birthday. Bonnie's mother had been all the way through the Girl Guide movement, although in her day the Brownies had been the youngest and there hadn't been any Rainbows. She used to tell Bonnie wonderful stories about the Brownies and Guides, and Bonnie couldn't wait to start.
Today she had worn her new uniform for the first time and had almost burst with pride. She had brough home her Promise and was determined to learn it properly by next week. She had played lots of games and made a card for her mother and listened to a story and saluted the flag. But the most exciting thing of all had been the ladder.
"It's going to happen next week," she told her mother breathlessly. "There's going to be a big ladder which reaches right up to the ceiling and the first one to climb it will win lots and lots of points for her group." Then she added with determination, "I'm going to win. I'm going to climb up that ladder just as fast as I can."
But to Bonnie's surprise, her mother had frowned a little. "Are you sure?" she'd asked. "It sounds a bit dangerous."
Bonnie had laughed scornfully. "I can do it. I know I can."
The following week, Bonnie was dressed in her uniform half an hour early and had to sit and wait until her mother was ready to take her to Rainbows. Then she couldn't wait for her mother to go, but danced into the hall, full of confidence and bursting with anticipation. She waited all evening for the ladder to appear, but nothing happened. When her mother came to pick her up, Bonnie was soon in tears.
"Why, whatever's the matter?" asked her mother. "You loved it last week!"
"I don't want to go any more," said Bonnie. "I hate it. It's just silly."
"But we've just paid a lot of money for your uniform. You can't stop going after just two weeks."
Bonnie launched into a fresh outburst of tears and stamped her foot. "Silly uniform! I hate it!"
"Come on," said her mother. "You're very tired. We'll talk about this tomorrow."
After tea the next day, Bonnie's mum sat down on the sofa and cuddled Bonnie. "What did you do at Rainbows last night?" she asked.
Bonnie thought for a while, then began to talk about all the games they had played and the handwork they had done and the songs they had sung and the story they had listened to. As she spoke, she remembered that she had enjoyed it all. Then she said to her mother, "They didn't bring the ladder, and they promised! Why didn't they bring the ladder?"
"Ah," said her mother. "I rang up the Rainbow leader and discovered that she did bring a ladder." Bonnie looked puzzled so her mother continued, "It was a ladder drawn on paper and as you complete each special task, so you cover one rung of the ladder with a sticker. The first one to reach the top wins."
"Oh," said Bonnie in a very small voice. She felt very silly and rather disappointed. She had really looked forward to climbing right to the top of a high ladder.
Then her mother added, "You've already started. I'm told you won nearly all the games last night, so you had a sticker on the first rung of your ladder. You'll soon be at the top."
Bonnie smiled proudly. She couldn't wait to go to Rainbows next week and win another sticker for her ladder.
Activity:
You need:
Lots of night lights or candles
Tapers
Matches
or a lighter
CD player
CD of Taize (or other suitable) music
Tell the children that you're going to use the Activity Time today who eat spiritual food. Set out the candles or night lights, perhaps in the shape of a cross. Play the CD quietly and invite the children to gather round. Talk about what it means to "eat" Jesus - to steep yourself in prayer and respond to the God Within - through prayer, Bible study, church, chatting about God, music, following Jesus in what we do. Then ask them what they want from Jesus/God. To ask for answers to questions? To ask for something special for themselves, and if so, what? To make a special request on behalf of someone else? When they are clear about what they want to say to/share with God/ask for from God, invoite them to each in turn light a candle, saying the words, "I light this candle for..."
They may want to write down what they have said and keep it privately until next week. Then you might start next week's session by picking up on this and asking whether anyone has experienced any response from God, and if so, what?
Diary Time: For details, click here.
Ask the children whether there have ever been any occasions when they have misunderstood something. Sometimes a misunderstanding can be quite amusing, and they may have some tales to tell. Have a story or two up your sleeve in case you draw a blank with the children. Move on to a discussion about Jesus, and ask why the children think some followers of Jesus were offended when Jesus talked about them eating his flesh. Ask how it is possible to "eat" Jesus' flesh and "drink" his blood. The children could either write or draw in their diaries some occasion which is personal to them when they misunderstood, or draw a picture of the altar set for Holy Communion.
Intercession:
Jesus, the one who nourishes us, fill us in your Church with the food which will keep us strong and healthy. May our spiritual bones and muscles and joints and nerves be full of health and in perfect condition, and may we follow you in all that we say and think and do.
Jesus, the one who nourishes us, we pray for those areas of the world where it is difficult to grow food because the conditions of the soil and the weather are unsuitable. Help us to understand what it is like to have to grow your own food in order to eat. Help us to appreciate our supermarkets and the food we receive from all around the world.
Jesus, the one who nourishes us, help us to understand that we need to keep connecting with you if we are to receive the food of eternal life which you offer us. May we find enjoyment and excitement in meeting you, and when we feel dreary and bored remind us what life would be like if you weren't part of it.
Jesus, the one who nourishes us, we pray for those who need good food to make them strong. Be close to all who are sick and fill them with such spiritual food that their inner health improves. May this inner healing be followed by physical healing. We name them before you ...
Blessing:
The body of Jesus was broken for you,
the blood of Jesus was spilt for you,
Jesus has given you his life.
May you take his life and absorb it within you.
And the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you now,
be in your homes and in your families
and with all those whom you love
and for whom you pray,
now and always.
Amen.
