Christ Church Jerusalem

Greek has two common words for “life.” Day-to-day, living organisms all exhibit “bios” (where we get the words “biology” and “biography”). But humans especially were made to experience something more fulfilling–a rich and unending kind of life that Jesus calls “Zoē” (later adapted as a common girl’s name). The “life” that Jesus offers us is the latter kind, and good it is for us to find it in his own self-giving love!

Readings: Psalm 34:9-14; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58

The speech of Jesus in John 6 contains many shocking statements, including the perplexing promise and warning: "No one can come to me unless the Father first draws him" (6:44).

No one likes to be told they can’t, and yet that’s Jesus’ response to the grumbling crowd. However as we move past what appears at first to be insulting we find in his words the love, grace and sheer beauty of God our Saviour.

Readings: Psalm 130; Ephesians 4:25–5:2; John 6:35, 41–51

Our gospel portion this week shares just a snippet of a conversation–one that will infamously end with many of Jesus' disciples abandoning him in the Galilee. What led to this eventual split was not a simple misunderstanding of his words, or fears over cannibalism, but an intentional rejection of the concept that Jesus Himself could be better than the gifts He gives.

Readings: Exodus 16:2–15; Psalm 78:14-26; John 6:24-35

Contrary to God’s will the people of Israel clamored for a king. They were desperate for security, especially from the Philistines, but were forewarned by Samuel the prophet that the burden of kingship would be crushing. Even David, the most ideal of rulers ended up abusing his power as seen in rape and murder (Bathsheba/Uriah). And when Jesus feeds the 5.000 the people want to seize him and make him king. Yet the kingship of Jesus is radically different from what many of us understand, and in our craving for security and provision we should be mindful of whom we ask to rule over us. The lessons of Jesus’ miraculous provision are important for the perilous times we find ourselves in now.

Readings: 2 Samuel 11:1-15; 2 Kings 4:42-44; John 6:1-21

Instead of connecting thematically to the Parashah this week, our Haftarah begins the first of 3 weeks of "Affliction," commemorating the period of fasting between 17 Tammuz and 9 of Av in the Hebrew calendar. Marked as the saddest part of the Jewish year, we commiserate with the "weeping prophet," Jeremiah.

BALAK | Micah 5:6-6:8 with John Arnold by Christ Church Jerusalem

THE RITUAL LAW | Judges 11:1-33 with Krystal White by Christ Church Jerusalem

In one of the Old Testaments most famous stories of rebellion and destruction, we investigate the particular sin of Korah and see how the prophet Samuel (himself a descendent of Korah) would have seen his own history intertwined with his ancestor's sin.

"Is there a God in Heaven?" Many of us are quick to answer, "Yes!" and wait expectantly to see our God face to face when we join Him there. But another question presses our day-to-day faith: "Is there a God on Earth?" This second question forces us to remember that we cannot (re)create God in our own image. Clearly, His sovereignty defies our expectations and demands that we earnestly look for His hand at work in the world around us.

Readings: Isaiah 57:14-21; Psalm 22:23-31; Mark 6:30-44, 51b-56

Like clouds and waves at sea, doubts often leave us disoriented, unsure of where to go or whether we even began going the right way. Rather than avoid them with shame, we can embrace them as defining moments: opportunities to rid ourselves of false assurances and better engage reality as it is. As Christians, we can always look to the living example of Jesus in those moments, and entrust our future selves with Him–like wayward sailors who set a course and trust that their boat will arrive back on shore.

Readings: Psalm 73, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29