Wisdom that Offends | Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost | John 6:51-69
Video/Livestream | Bulletin
August 15, 2021 | 10:45 a.m.
The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Communion will be celebrated during this service. If you plan to visit with us, please read our communion statement.
READINGS
Psalm 34:1-8
Proverbs 9:1-10
Ephesians 5:6-21
John 6:51-69
Message presented by Rev. Frank C. Ruffatto
+Points to ponder
- Does worldly wisdom and godly wisdom ever meet? If yes, how so? If not, what is the real difference?
- What makes the cross ‘folly’ to the world?
- How is the crucifixion of Christ His glorification?
- How can we live in godly wisdom, both as individuals and as His people gathered together?
+Sermon Transcript
Grace, mercy, and peace be unto each of you from God our Father and our Lord and King, Jesus the Christ. Amen. Let us pray: O God, You declare Your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: mercifully grant to us such a measure of Your grace, that we, running the way of Your commandments, may receive Your gracious promises, and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord Amen.
People loved by God, let no one deceive you with empty words, but leave your simple ways and live. Walk in the way of understanding.
TRUE WISDOM AND THE WAY OF REAL LIFE ARE FOUND BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS.
No one is offended by wisdom and life in the abstract. Everyone signs on with wisdom in Proverbs nine as a better idea than folly or recklessness: “Wisdom has built her house… She calls from the highest places in the town: … ‘Forsake your folly and live and walk in the way of understanding’ ”
Who would not be for that! Just fill in the blanks as to what you think “wisdom” entails – a good judge of human character, political savvy, clever business acumen. Whatever. It is a nice notion, a good concept.
Most people will even buy an abstract “fear of the Lord” if it leads to abstract wisdom. Our cultural religion sometimes still makes the claim that “We’re a God-fearing people.”
Everyone wants life in general. The crowds in John chapter six certainly wanted to live, which is why they were glad to have all the free barley loaves Jesus would give them. Many a celebrant will respond to “Happy birthday!” with “Thank you it is certainly better than the alternative.” Or, when someone says, “It’s good to see you” and you respond, “better to be seen than viewed!” We all want to live.
But when wisdom and life are concrete – and concrete in a person – then people take offense! “Wisdom” in Proverbs nine – and elsewhere in the Book of Proverbs – has been seen, throughout Christian history, as a reference to the eternal Son of God.
After all, He alone has “knowledge of the Holy One.” He is the one who teaches the “fear of the Lord” – not a fear that puts one in terror but a reverent fear, an honoring of God and acknowledging His Divine Authority. The Son is the author and giver of life, who gives His Word of Spirit and life.
The Son lives in, with, and from the Father eternally, in love for His Father and for the whole creation. But now you will get plenty of argument about wisdom; lots of folks will claim to be wise without crediting God or His eternal Son.
And now it gets down to real flesh and blood – Jesus as the life! Jesus says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” “This a hard saying!” the crowd responds, and many of them take offense! Many “turned back and no longer walked with” Jesus.
This brings to mind Lot and his wife fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah. She “turned back” in apostasy and faithlessness; and she died, turned into a pillar of salt. That is what happens if God’s Word is rejected and refused; if other words and the world’s wisdom are heeded instead of the wisdom of God in Christ Jesus.
Beloved, let us not harden our hearts in this way! Let us not grumble against God’s Word! Instead, let us “fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.”
Still, many are indifferent at best and hostile at worst when it comes to Christ and His Word – His wisdom. St. Paul reminds us: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
The crowds knew that for Jesus to give his flesh to eat, he would have to die – and a bloody death at that. Gross! Deplorable! Unacceptable! The cross is often seen as bad ‘PR’ today. Not just because it is an ugly downer, but because it shows we are in need of dramatic saving! As in, you and I, everyone – is really sinful! For a world that wants it their way – this is just unacceptable!
But, Beloved, you know this wisdom and the life, Christ Jesus. St. Peter got this one right: “You have the words of eternal life.” Jesus is God’s wise plan for our life, the life of the whole world.
He lives in, with, and from the living Father. He has come down from heaven to you, to give His flesh for you, to shed His blood for you. The cross is a scandal, but it is not the way of death as it often seems and feels. The cross seems like folly, but it is the way of the life and the true wisdom of God. And the cross is where Jesus is lifted up and glorified.
Jesus died to give His flesh and blood to you as meat and drink indeed, that you may live and abide in and with Him forever. As the Easter hymn says: Then let us feast this Easter Day On Christ, the Bread of heaven; The Word of grace has purged away The old and evil leaven. Christ alone our souls will feed; He is our meat and drink indeed; Faith lives upon no other! Alleluia!
You, too, beloved, have faith to know the life in Christ, the “many days,” that you so much desire. By His Word that He preaches to you, which is Spirit, truth, and life. By your Baptism into His cross and resurrection. By His Supper, feeding you on His flesh and blood so you abide in Him and He in you.
Here, too, in Christ Jesus, you have the wisdom that you also desire. He has built his house, the Holy Christian Church on earth. He has hewn out His seven pillars, the manifold gifts of the Holy Spirit. He has prepared His food for you by the slaughter of Himself. He has mixed His wine with the blood and water from His riven side. He has prepared His table for you.
Beloved, let us then continue to walk in the wisdom and life of Christ Jesus.
Be on guard against temptations and not deceived by empty words that might cause you, like so many in the crowd, to turn away and no longer walk with Jesus. Be on guard because it is possible for a disciple of Christ to stumble and fall. Be on guard of turning away from Him and leaving, to follow Him no longer even to the point of death.
Instead, let us continue to walk in the wisdom of Christ, which is the way of life and light and love. Live and walk in faith toward God. Live in fervent love for your neighbor, especially your brothers and sisters in Christ. This, Beloved, is true wisdom, misunderstood by the simple-minded.
Walking in Christ’s wisdom and life sacrifices for and submits to your neighbor. It is speaking words that are good and right and true, making the best use of the time. It is “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,” letting the melody of the Spirit ring forth in your heart in a song of peace in Christ to your neighbor. This is how you and I live as a Christian. It is difficult because it is the way of the cross in which you walk as one who is wise.
Walking in the wisdom and life of Christ means calling out from the highest place in town as Wisdom once called you, by His Father, inviting you into His house and to His table. “Come, eat My flesh, which is true food.” “Drink my blood, which is true drink.”
You do not wish to go away, do you? Here is eternal life in the Word made flesh. Forsake your folly. Be not unwise, but wise. Do not take offense at this, but continue to walk in the way of understanding, in the way of true wisdom and real life in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Eat, drink, and live by the wisdom of God in Christ. Amen.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”