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We’re midway through Pentecost and well into summer; and this Sunday’s lessons are as delicious as grilled eggplant and peppers-and okay-Healthychoice® hotdogs. Each lesson is a meal in itself, a main entrée. In the first lesson we have the dedication of the Temple under the Solomonic reign, the second lesson offers an imaginative way to think about how Christians can do battle with evil, and the gospel lesson reveals a troublesome gospel saying from which some may choose to pass on by. Prepare each lesson sautéed in prayer, cooked to well-done, and served with the relish of winsome humor and humility.

1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43-Temple of The Great Name

This lesson offers excerpts from the story of the dedication of the Temple constructed under King Solomon’s administration including the gathering of the elders of Israel, the leaders of the twelve tribes, and the general populace (vs.1-2), the relocation of the ark of the covenant from the city of David to the Temple (v.6), an account of the glory of God that descends on the priests (vs.10-11), and Solomon’s supplicatory prayer (vs.22-30; 41-43).

Ephesians 6:10-20-How to Whup the Devil

Seven weeks of Ephesians concludes with a final admonishment beginning in verse ten: "Finally, be strong in the Lord . . ." What follows is one of the most familiar portions of Christian Scripture-the armor of God. In a time far removed from our own time with its sensibilities about violence, war, and things military, the writer speaks of the Christian life in metaphorical terms. We are in a battle just as real and just as dangerous as that of any soldier in time of war. By analogy, various articles of combat apparel are named-belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword along with their spiritual counterparts-truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Spirit, the Word of God. All of the armor seems to lean forward toward the next thought in verse 18: "Pray in the Spirit . . . " Here, intercessory prayer is lifted up as the object of our armor-to help us pray "for all the saints" (v. 18).

John 6:56-69-Sad Note Ending

This Sunday’s lesson closes John 6 on a sad note. Such lofty and polyvalent meaning and innuendo of Jesus’ eucharistic discussion is in the end just too difficult for some to swallow. Jesus has spoken about eating his very life for nourishment and eternal life. "This teaching is difficult," some respond, "who can accept it?" Jesus apparently reads body language well ("being aware that his disciples were complaining . . .") and responds to the complaint with an appeal to revelation: " . . . no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father" (v. 65). As the dust clears, the numbers have downsized and Jesus wonders about his closest disciples-"Do you also wish to go away?" (v. 67). Simon’s answer sums up what many Christians then and since have come to believe: " Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life" (v. 68).