Wednesday 14 January 2026

Psalm 119:33-48

Background
Some years ago I was introduced to the 'empathy sandwich'. It is a way of delivering tricky news by placing challenging 'meat' between more positive 'bread' statements. Appreciation introduces the issue while reassurance, in closing, signals the conversation will be kind and receptive. The key issue is faced not avoided.

1 John is a multi-level letter (or 'sandwich') of challenge and encouragement. Today’s verses are not just in the moment. They comment on the pilgrim path of believers new to faith or who have been walking for many years and offer bread and meat.

Scholars tell us that the repetition of the three generations (children, young people, fathers) is for emphasis. Older translations refer only to men of different Christian experience. Recent studies of the text suggest the references are not so gender-bound but are more inclusive.

John Wesley suggested that these verses referred to mature saints, strong believers and new believers and in his book The Message Eugene Peterson refers to veterans, newcomers and children.

I am in my early 70s and have been a Christian since my teens. I can identify something of myself in each of the three groups. The youthful encounter with the Father and a powerful sense of forgiveness. Middle years of energy and a call to particular tasks. I’m not sure my life was always as reliable as John praises! Now, certainly, I am in the third category by age. The energy of the middle years is depleted but there are moments when I am able to muster some insight from my years of Christian living.

I do not think that John has a rigid model of Christian stages through which we progress to maturity. Age is not a defence from foolishness! John's aspirations are that his congregation will grow in love and faith but (like John Bunyan) he knows that believers can easily lose the path.

To Ponder:

• Can you identify an unfolding of your Christian life from its start until now? What happened in between?
• Has anyone ever written to you to help, support, encourage or strengthen your faith?
• Are there particular people, places, congregations, books, situations... for which you give thanks?

Prayer
Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not for seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do thy will. Amen. (St Ignatius of Loyola)

Bible notes author: The Revd Bob Sneddon
Bob Sneddon is a retired presbyter who lives on the south coast of England. He has had five varied circuit appointments over some 40 years and before that worked in India for a year. In retirement he is enjoying making a garden and walking.