ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 21, 2026
In my life, there have been moments when using lofty language to describe Jesus, such as referring to him as the incarnation of love, has truly resonated with me. On the other hand, there have been instances when I have used more intimate language, such as calling Jesus my friend. In John’s Gospel, we find a variety of metaphors to describe Jesus, including the “I am” statements, such as, “I am the Bread of Life.” I could be wrong, but it almost feels as if scripture provides us with a multitude of titles and playful descriptions for a purpose. There are days when people need to hear how Jesus is the Living Word that is with God and is God, at least according to the Prologue of John’s Gospels. And then there are days when we need to reread Jesus weeping upon learning that his friend Lazarus had died. As we hear different people using very different language than we might use, it is good to ask, “Why is that way of describing Jesus meaningful to you?” Upon hearing the response, you may have new insight into how that title or description is meaningful. A previously unknown window is suddenly open, and through it, you glimpse something that had previously been unimaginable to you.
Continue to point us to places, O Holy God, where we might glimpse something never before seen about the one who is the Living Word and my friend, Jesus. Amen.
