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In both the David story (2 Samuel 11b) as well as that of the feeding of the multitude in the gospel lesson (John 6b), we are presented with "Part II." In the first case, David’s cover up of two mortal sins (later dubbed, "capital" sins) is exposed by Nathan. The story this week will also include David’s response. In the gospel lesson, we last week read about the feeding of the multitude; this week the dialogue continues. Placed in the middle of the two stories is Paul’s marvelous discourse about the role of unity in the Christian community.

2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a-"You Are the One!": The Response

The prophet Nathan deftly exposes David’s cover up and now the moment of truth arrives. Will David ‘fess up or behead Nathan in order to silence his accuser? Confronted with his deadly sins, King David crumbles to the ground in repentance. The consequences of David’s actions will be heavy. He and his family will suffer deep and terrible wounds, but through his confession there will be pardon and forgiveness. David sinks yet rises again as one who now knows himself and his God better.

Ephesians 4:1-16-Living Worthy Lives

Paul admonishes that Christians are obligated to live worthily as a way to honor the God who has called us in Christ Jesus. Such a life reflects humility, gentleness, patience, and above all, unity. The final trait-unity-is at the core of the mystery of the Body of Christ. Christians receive a single calling into the one Body, are infused by the one Spirit, and share in one hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and God. The writer then throws in one of those, butontheotherhand disclaimers as the variety of ministry gifts are enumerated. Yet even in diversity of Spirit-given gifts the purpose of them is to bring Christians to a higher objective: "until all of us come to the unity of the faith . . ." (v. 13). Christian unity is at the very heart of God much like muscles in the body are at the core of a properly functioning body.

John 6:24-35-Sustainer of Life or Soup-Kitchen Supper?

"They," the yesterday’s crowd, want Jesus to give them a sign that he truly comes from God. And this despite his phenomenal miraculous feeding of the day before. Such was the sign; but all they saw was an easy supper. The dialogue continues this week concerning bread-the writer seems to suggest through this dialogue that Jesus wants to draw seekers deeper and deeper into the mystery that is Christ as the Bread sent by the Father. The text suggests a meta-communication that Jesus’ words contain: beyond the physical bread there is another Bread, which will bring the multitude to eternal life, to the quality of life leads to fellowship with God.