David’s Evil and The Need for the Bread of Life

2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a
John 6:24-35


Rockville United Church
The Rev. Suzanne Rudiselle

August 6, 2006

First there is lust, then from a position of power and privilege rape, then attempted manipulation of one whose integrity remains intact, then murder, and dismissal of the problem, and finally a new wife. The bible surprises us with the story of David, God’s anointed: not as shepherd of God’s people, not as warrior king, not as faithful servant of the Most High God, but as a fallible, ambiguous figure who has been seduced by his own perceived powers. David’s moral vision is skewed. The king may act. The king may kill. The king may be self-satisfied, but the king cannot change reality. He can only live with his illusions.

We know the story: David saw what he wanted, Bathsheba. The fact that she was married to an officer in David’s army did not faze him. He simple took her. When she sent word that she was pregnant, David tries unsuccessfully to have Uriah return home from the battle to sleep with his wife. Uriah is a man of integrity and refuses so David must find another way to cover up his misdeed. Uriah is sent into an unnecessary battle where the fighting will be fierce, and where he will surely be killed. When the messenger comes to David with the report of the war, his last sentence is, “Uriah the Hittite is also dead.” The king and his general are the only ones who understand the subtext. The fact that many others have died in a questionable battle is secondary to David’s goal. The truth has been concealed. His guilt passes quickly. The monarchy is safe. His last words to his general are, “do not let this thing be evil in your eyes.” - these things happen in war. Either David can no longer tell wrong from right or he has become incredibly cynical. (Walter Breuggemann, 1st and 2nd Samuel Interpreter’s Commentary)

But God knows and God is displeased with David. (The Hebrew word khaw-raw` means to blaze up, be angry, be incensed and grieved.) God is all of that for David has violated God’s word and covenant. Nathan is sent to David. He tells a compelling story of the rich man who takes the prized lamb from the poor man, and uses it for hospitality for a stranger. As David listens, his own outrage is evident and he said to Nathan, “as the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; he shall restore the lamb fourfold because he did this thing and because he had no pity.”

Nathan’s response is among the most dramatic in all of scripture. Looking at the indignant David, with his own eyes blazing, Nathan said, “You are the man.” There is a recital of God’s past gracious and generous actions for David. God has given and given. David has taken. David has violated God’s word and the commitment God made to him. The sentence is passed. David who used the sword will live in the shadow of the sword all of his life.

In humility David responds, “I have sinned against the Lord.” There is still some moral courage left in David which allow his to face up to what he has done. It is late - but not too late for him to repent and seek God‘s mercy. He is not unscathed. He will never be whole and free again, but he will begin again and live in covenant with God. God will forgive but there are consequences to David’s actions. He sowed violence and death. It will follow him and his family all their days.

This is a classic story of arrogant misuse of power, reminding us that even the most admired and accomplished are not immune to the temptation of power. It is an illusion that we are in control of our destinies and can define the terms of morality under which we choose to live. It’s an old and very current story of those who think their position or rank can protect them from their immoral actions. “The tragedy of lives undone and accomplishments overshadowed by acts committed under such an illusion of power is almost a weekly story in our communities and nation.” (Bruce Birch, NIB Commentary p.1288)

There are consequences to our actions. Physicists will remind us that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. By the mercy of God we have not raped and murdered to cover our lustful actions. -- Or have we? Are we not the greatest consumers on the face of the earth who demand more and more oil and gas and goods at the cost of war and death and unholy alliances? Have we lived in covenant with the living God, placing our allegiance to God first in our lives? Or have we despised the word of God, perhaps unwittingly, by making ourselves more important than the rest of humanity? Or by turning a deaf ear to the cries of those who slave away in order to make goods that satisfy our hunger for things? Why is it that David lusted after what was not his? Why is it that we lust after more and more? What is the great hunger that impels us? Why have we succumbed to the seductive siren call of the market place? What is it in us that is not easily satisfied? Why do we look for the stuff of life that is not eternal when what is eternal and life giving is offered by an extravagantly generous God?

Are we like the crowds that followed Jesus, looking for signs, looking for miraculous bread? - trying to fill up that space in our lives that is unquenchable? There is only one thing that satisfies. There is only one thing that fills us and nourishes us and gives us life. Like those so long ago we cry out for it and our cries are heard. Manna is given. We are fed. But this is not just a flaky substance to relieve our physical hunger. It is real substance that offers forgiveness, reconciliation, love, and new life. This is living bread. This is Jesus.

Today we come to this table where even our most grievous sins are known. We come humbly confessing our shortcomings and lapses, for we are in need of God’s mercy. We come knowing that the consequences of our actions will play out, but that we will not be alone. We are now, and always be, in the care of the Holy One. We come trusting that as we repent we may look forward to a new direction away from brokenness, because God truly loves us and wants what is good for us. And so God came to live among us to show us the way of life. Jesus, the bread of life, has offered himself that we might be fed with eternal food, that we might bear witness to his grace and live in the fullness of his love. Thanks be to God.