Musical Prelude and Service.

2 Samuel 11:26 – 12:13a, Psalm 51:1-12 & John 6:24-35
Last week I spoke on David’s assault of Bathsheba and killing of Uriah. The scripture reading last week leaves matters unresolved. It would seem based on that reading that David is able to act with impunity. In terms of the political powers that would be the case. No one is standing in opposition to his decisions and orders and actions.
But as we read this morning, God is fully aware, and through the prophet Nathan, expresses their anger. In doing so, Nathan also exposes David’s hypocrisy. David is angered at the suggestion of a poor man being exploited and abused by a wealthy man. Of course, David has done far worse.
And so, David confesses that he has sinned. He has sinned against God. But keep in mind he makes no mention of his sins against Uriah or Bathsheba. Bathsheba is silent and not even named today. For me, that silence rings loudly today.
And while Nathan acknowledges God has forgiven David, there will still be consequences for his actions. Death and humiliation. His children will suffer for what he did.
How this story plays out in the coming chapters is not included in the lectionary readings. It’s quite lengthy and unpleasant. But I do think it is instructive to summarize much of what happens involving two of David’s sons Amnon and Absolom. Absolom’s sister Tamar, another of David’s children, unwittingly catches the eye of Amnon. He schemes to catch Tamar in a vulnerable situation and sexually assaults her.
Pursuing revenge, Absolom arranges a dinner for all of David’s sons and at that feast kills Amnon and then flees into exile. After many years in exile, Absolom returns to Israel and then plots to oust David and take control of all that David possesses. This leads to civil war during which David returns to power, but Absolom dies in battle.
It could be the basis of a George RR Martin novel.
We could discuss whether the consequences of David’s actions are appropriate or proportionate. But then we would also find ourselves discussing the values and world view of the Mediterranean society of that time.
What I see in this story is an acknowledgement or observation that how we relate to the world ripples out from us and encompasses the lives of those around us. David’s children have essentially inherited his attitude; that he is entitled to whatever and whomever he desires and can take that or them as he chooses. If he can get away with these actions, regardless the cost to others, what does it matter?
David has forgotten that he has a responsibility to the welfare of his neighbour. And for a man of David’s power and wealth this leads to chaos, war, and the humiliation, pain and death of so many more people.
So, while he begs God for forgiveness, and that may be granted, David must still answer for the harm he imposed on Bathsheba and Uriah. It is not just about David’s personal relationship with God. It is also about David’s relationship to the world around him. There is a lot of reparation to be done.
Psalm 51 proclaims that the writer has sinned only against God. The psalm does not elaborate as to the nature of that sin. Is there a distinction between sins against God and sins against our neighbour? I wonder if some of God’s commandments and Jesus’s instructions around loving God, and not coveting what your neighbour has, of seeking justice, loving kindness point us to a new way
of relating to the world. If we can get those directions correct, it can help to avoid the more personal transgressions that lead to sexual violence; to murder and theft.
Perhaps, if we avoid sinning against God, we are less apt to sin against our neighbour. Or – hear me out – when we sin against our neighbour, or disregard the suffering of our neighbour, we are, in fact ignoring God.
So, the psalmist pleads with God for a new heart, a constant spirit. Burnt offerings are not adequate, but a recognition of our faults and our sins; or to use the language in the psalm and broken and contrite heart is accepted. A broken spirit draws us to God.
This is a recognition of the need for and the possibility of a new start. Of changing the course of our life. Our God is a God of second chances. But those new opportunities do not come cheaply.
In the Gospel of John this morning, Jesus finds himself teaching his disciples following the feeding of thousands. After feeding all these people who have come to see him, he disappears, moving on to the next place in his journey. The crowds follow after him. Jesus accuses them of looking for another meal. That isn’t surprising. Poverty and hunger are a part of life for the people of Israel and Judah at this time.
But Jesus is also trying to move people away from only pursuing their physical needs, as crucial as those may be. Jesus desires to see his followers enter into a deeper relationship with God and with one another. Part of his ongoing message is how we are all connected to one another through Jesus and God.
Jesus is offering something deeper and more lasting than mere bread. A relationship with God that will feed our souls, our spirit, and create a new world of justice and mercy.
Jesus is seeking to transform hearts, and I would argue he understands that if they all feel that connection, they will live for one another and the world. This will cease to be a society that is fixed on gaining at the expense of our neighbour.
I want to believe that when he is confronted by Nathan, David truly experienced an epiphany. That he truly realizes how he has sinned. While he is fasting and repenting and grieving over his dying infant son, David experiences his own changing heart and spirit. But even if this is the case,
his previous actions and attitude have created a toxic environment for his family and his household, and it will take time and effort to create something new. It will take more time than David has, I would argue.
Jesus offers us that chance to be a part of creating something new. To feast on the bread of life he offers. To be created anew as individuals and as a community. To recognize that all to often we have been a part of a world that views people as objects for possession and exploitation and others as barriers to our acquisitiveness. Throw away humans in a throw away society. People who can be ignored or seen as not worth the effort.
We have witnessed our society exploit and abuse our indigenous populations. We have expressed our sorrow. We have confessed our sin – even if we shy away from the use of that word. But the work to reconcile and renew is ongoing and has a long way to go. The damage and the pain inflicted by our society is extensive. Our indigenous neighbours and siblings are slow to trust us, with reason.
And a great many indigenous communities and people continue to suffer.
Members of the LGBTQ communities have suffered horribly in our society. They have been excluded and hated and attacked, in particular by religious communities. For many, things are starting to change on that front, but there is still work to be done and trust and progress are tenuous and fragile things.
The reality of poverty and houselessness is clear even in small towns like Dunnville. We struggle to find solutions to these challenges. And we can be tempted to look away, not knowing how to respond in a constructive way. We are afraid to let ourselves be vulnerable in the face of other people’s difficulties. And yet, Jesus tells us we are all connected through God. If we are only interested in adding to our own wealth and power, while ignoring the suffering right in front of us, how are we contributing to the healing of our world?
My friends, when I say these things, I am not speaking only of our small community of faith. I speak of the wider community of which we are a part. But I do encourage us to look in the mirror. God is not happy with our actions or our inactions, nor with our silence or words spoken in fear or ignorance. And yet, God continues to love us and offer us new opportunities to repent and to eat of the bread of life.
May we come before God, seeking a new heart and a new spirit, confessing that our hearts and our spirits are broken.
We hunger for justice. We yearn for a world of love and compassion. One where all have enough to eat and all can live in comfort and safety, free from the terror of violence and exploitation. We desire a world where everyone – women and men alike, are seen as valued and beloved children of God, and whose voices are heard and respected.
So let us live lives which reflect those values and desires. Let us be a part of making that world a reality. No matter how hard the work and no matter how long the journey.
Let us remember the words of the psalmist; Restore to me the joy of your salvation and strengthen me with a willing spirit. O God, open my lips and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Thanks be to God. Amen
Rev. Warner Bloomfield

Music provided with permission through licensing with CCLI License number
2701258 and One License # A-731789