Daily Lectionary | Genesis 13 and John 6:41-end
Genesis 13
Summary
Abram comes up out of Egypt “very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold” (Gen. 13:2). This sets a pattern of God’s people “plundering Egypt” upon their exodus. Abram returns to place between Bethel and Ai, where he had previously built an altar and continues to “call upon the name of the Lord.”
A dispute broke out between Abram and Lot’s herdsmen over land. At the Tower of Babel a crowd of people came together, and the Lord scattered them. Now Abram and Lot’s people crowd together, and Abram proposes that they scatter in different directions. Ominously for Lot, he journeyed east seeing a land “like Egypt” and dwelt “as far as Sodom,” a place already full of wickedness. Lot, a descendent of Shem’s line, will cozy up with the descendants of Ham (Gen. 10:19).
But Abram dwells in the land of promise, and the Lord reiterates his promise about the land and his seed. On hearing the word of promise, Abram builds an altar.
Reflection Questions
1. Abram, though Lot’s uncle, says “we are brothers,” and yet they are in conflict. What is the nature of this conflict? Consider connections with Cain and Abel in Genesis 4.
2. Upon hearing God’s word of promise, Abram builds an altar. What might we learn about worship from this pattern and word and altar?
John 6:41-end
Summary
If there was any doubt that John 6 is in the land of the exodus-wilderness pattern, this section should put those doubts to rest. Israel grumbled in the wilderness, dissatisfied for God’s provision and even wanting to return to their slavery. So now, “The Jews grumbled about him, because he said ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’” (Jn. 6:41). Jesus doubles down, repeating the claim: “I am the bread of life” (Jn. 6:48). Jesus is the new manna come down from heaven. The claim is even more startling: “And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” Jesus turns the screws tighter after the Jews’ bewilderment: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (Jn. 6:53).
Jesus will give his flesh and blood on the cross for the life of the world. That once for all sacrifice, however, is made present continually in the church’s celebration of the Eucharist: the body of Christ, the bread of heaven; the blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. The church has consistently read John 6 as a preview of what will later be revealed, both on the cross and in the Eucharist.
Reflection Questions
1. How do Jesus’ disciples react to his claims in this passage?
2. Jesus states that he gives his life for the sake of the world (Jn. 6:51). How does Jesus mission inform the church’s mission? What are we supposed to do for the world?