John 6: 60-71
There are some things that are hard to understand. Twenty years ago my best friend told me she had leukemia. She was a young mom at the time, her youngest hadn't reached her second birthday. I was a new believer in Christ. A mother with children to raise shouldn't die, I thought, but she did, not long after her diagnosis. My new faith in Christ wavered, it was hard to see His plan and purpose when her precious children were left without the mother that loved them.
Jesus has just told the crowd that's been following Him they would need to eat His flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life (John 6:54). They don't understand that He is speaking in spiritual terms and answer, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" Jesus knows they are grumbling about what He has said. It was at this point that, "many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him."
We get to that point sometimes. I know I did after my friend's death. It was hard, and I didn't understand, so I wanted to turn back. But Christ calls us to follow Him even when things don't make sense. It requires trust. We have to believe that He knows what is best, because life isn't one event. It's an intricately woven series of events that make up the whole of God's plan.
Peter was quick to answer when Jesus asked if he too would leave, "Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." Peter knew there was no one else to turn to. Jesus was life.
God's good in my friend's death hasn't been revealed to me. I may never understand, but as I walk with Him every day He teaches me to trust Him no matter what. And to agree with Peter - where else would I go, who else is there? No one - only Jesus.
Psalm 73:21-26 says it best:
"When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You. Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Real Nourishment
John 6:47-59
Do you ever wish you could go back to a simpler time? A time when life wasn't so hectic, and there weren't so many demands placed on your life? I've had those nostalgic moments. They always end with a thump back to reality, though. You see, the times may on the surface look simpler - until I think about cooking a meal. Or having enough water for the day. Or doing laundry - ugh! I'm trying to imagine hauling our clothes outside, heating water, making my own soap, scrubbing the heavy, wet clothes then hanging them on a line, waiting for them to dry, hauling them back in and ironing it all. I'm a little distracted by the sound of my washing machine that required the touch of a few buttons to get going - the reality of now isn't so bad in that light!
Bread for a meal was one of those daunting tasks like laundry. You needed grain. It had to be ground. The dough was made, and if it was leavened you waited for it to rise. Then it had to be cooked - which involved another procedure to get the fuel for the fire. When you were finished and wanted to clean up there was water to be hauled.
When we look at things this way, it's easier to understand why the crowd that followed Jesus wanted Him to feed them every day. It makes it easy to see why the Samaritan woman wanted the living water Jesus told her about.
God knows we have these needs. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink...Is not life more important than food...?"
The answer to His question is yes! A little further in Matthew 6 at verse 35 we read, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Not just seeking the physical bread the crowd was looking for, but seeking the real nourishment we need. It only comes from Him. He tells the crowd in John 6:48 that He is the bread of life. The physical bread they eat will not keep them from dying. Jesus alone can give them eternal life.
His flesh would be sacrificed and His blood poured out at the cross. To unite ourselves with Him in belief provides the nourishment our dying spirit needs. Without Jesus, "you have no life in you".
I'm not going to pretend that this passage of Scripture is clear as day to me. "This is a hard saying ..." according to many of His disciples - and I agree with that. But if we ask God to reveal what He wants us to understand - He will. Keep studying, listening to the Word when it is preached and asking God for wisdom. We can come back to this Scripture again, and if anyone has been given insight - please share!
Do you ever wish you could go back to a simpler time? A time when life wasn't so hectic, and there weren't so many demands placed on your life? I've had those nostalgic moments. They always end with a thump back to reality, though. You see, the times may on the surface look simpler - until I think about cooking a meal. Or having enough water for the day. Or doing laundry - ugh! I'm trying to imagine hauling our clothes outside, heating water, making my own soap, scrubbing the heavy, wet clothes then hanging them on a line, waiting for them to dry, hauling them back in and ironing it all. I'm a little distracted by the sound of my washing machine that required the touch of a few buttons to get going - the reality of now isn't so bad in that light!
Bread for a meal was one of those daunting tasks like laundry. You needed grain. It had to be ground. The dough was made, and if it was leavened you waited for it to rise. Then it had to be cooked - which involved another procedure to get the fuel for the fire. When you were finished and wanted to clean up there was water to be hauled.
When we look at things this way, it's easier to understand why the crowd that followed Jesus wanted Him to feed them every day. It makes it easy to see why the Samaritan woman wanted the living water Jesus told her about.
God knows we have these needs. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink...Is not life more important than food...?"
The answer to His question is yes! A little further in Matthew 6 at verse 35 we read, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Not just seeking the physical bread the crowd was looking for, but seeking the real nourishment we need. It only comes from Him. He tells the crowd in John 6:48 that He is the bread of life. The physical bread they eat will not keep them from dying. Jesus alone can give them eternal life.
His flesh would be sacrificed and His blood poured out at the cross. To unite ourselves with Him in belief provides the nourishment our dying spirit needs. Without Jesus, "you have no life in you".
I'm not going to pretend that this passage of Scripture is clear as day to me. "This is a hard saying ..." according to many of His disciples - and I agree with that. But if we ask God to reveal what He wants us to understand - He will. Keep studying, listening to the Word when it is preached and asking God for wisdom. We can come back to this Scripture again, and if anyone has been given insight - please share!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Misguided
John 6:37-46
For several years I read books written by a popular pastor of a large Christian congregation. His thought-provoking words sounded true and sincere. Not long ago, though, he took a detour from the Word and began teaching that there were many ways to God besides Christ. His influence is significant and I'm concerned for those that were following the man, rather than the Word of God, and may believe his false teaching.
We have in Jesus a firm foundation. He is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep. In John 10: 27-28 He tells us, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
It's when we take our eyes off of Christ and follow something or someone else that we become dissapointed.
Jesus came from heaven to do God's will. It is God's will that all who come to believe in Christ will have eternal life, and it is God who draws us to Christ. On our own we wouldn't believe - remember it says in John 1:10-11, "He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him."
The people Jesus is speaking to in John 6:41-42 don't believe He came from heaven. They think He is the Mary and Joseph's son, nothing more. This is the official word from the religious leaders, and the people will suffer from believing these men, rather than what Christ is telling them. Because, He is the only way to eternal life.
There are still those who claim to be shepherds of the people that would lead them away by falsely teaching that Christ was a good man, and nothing more. We must choose between their misguided words, or the words of Christ that proclaim, "I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
For several years I read books written by a popular pastor of a large Christian congregation. His thought-provoking words sounded true and sincere. Not long ago, though, he took a detour from the Word and began teaching that there were many ways to God besides Christ. His influence is significant and I'm concerned for those that were following the man, rather than the Word of God, and may believe his false teaching.
We have in Jesus a firm foundation. He is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep. In John 10: 27-28 He tells us, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
It's when we take our eyes off of Christ and follow something or someone else that we become dissapointed.
Jesus came from heaven to do God's will. It is God's will that all who come to believe in Christ will have eternal life, and it is God who draws us to Christ. On our own we wouldn't believe - remember it says in John 1:10-11, "He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him."
The people Jesus is speaking to in John 6:41-42 don't believe He came from heaven. They think He is the Mary and Joseph's son, nothing more. This is the official word from the religious leaders, and the people will suffer from believing these men, rather than what Christ is telling them. Because, He is the only way to eternal life.
There are still those who claim to be shepherds of the people that would lead them away by falsely teaching that Christ was a good man, and nothing more. We must choose between their misguided words, or the words of Christ that proclaim, "I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Losing my Patience?
John 6:30-36
I am losing my patience with this crowd! Weren't they part of the miraculous feeding of the five thousand? Here they are asking Jesus, "What miraculous sign then will You give that we may see it and believe You?...Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"
The manna - bread - they are referring to was given to the Children of Israel on thier way to the Promised Land. It appeared from heaven each day, except Sabbath, and each gathered enough to meet thier needs for that day. There was never too little, and if you gathered too much it spoiled. It was a picture of God's day by day providence for His people.
Jesus instructs us to ask for bread, "Give us today our daily bread...". He also tells us that we don't need to worry, and say, "...What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them." (Matthew 6:32)
So - it's okay to ask God to provide what we need each day, in fact, He already knows about the need and anticipates our request. In asking we acknowledge Him as our Provider.
Now back to the crowd. If there's nothing wrong with asking, what made thier request sound so ridiculous? Well, first of all, if feeding over 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish isn't a miracle, then what is? Yet they have the audacity to ask, "What miraculous sign will You give...?" They weren't satisfied with the bread they received yesterday. They want more. They wanted to be fed every day by God's hand, just like their forefathers. Then they would call it a miracle.
Remember how the forefathers' felt after being fed manna every day? Read Numbers 11. The manna wasn't enough, they wanted meat; one miracle isn't enough - give us more God and we will grumble and complain against You if You don't!
Now I have to re-think my impatience with this bunch - why? Because it hits close to home. I've seen God provide over and again in my life, yet I don't always accept His providence with thanksgiving. The same grumbling and doubt fill my heart when God witholds something I want.
How ridiculous they didn't get it - how ridiculous that I dont!
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22
I am losing my patience with this crowd! Weren't they part of the miraculous feeding of the five thousand? Here they are asking Jesus, "What miraculous sign then will You give that we may see it and believe You?...Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"
The manna - bread - they are referring to was given to the Children of Israel on thier way to the Promised Land. It appeared from heaven each day, except Sabbath, and each gathered enough to meet thier needs for that day. There was never too little, and if you gathered too much it spoiled. It was a picture of God's day by day providence for His people.
Jesus instructs us to ask for bread, "Give us today our daily bread...". He also tells us that we don't need to worry, and say, "...What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them." (Matthew 6:32)
So - it's okay to ask God to provide what we need each day, in fact, He already knows about the need and anticipates our request. In asking we acknowledge Him as our Provider.
Now back to the crowd. If there's nothing wrong with asking, what made thier request sound so ridiculous? Well, first of all, if feeding over 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish isn't a miracle, then what is? Yet they have the audacity to ask, "What miraculous sign will You give...?" They weren't satisfied with the bread they received yesterday. They want more. They wanted to be fed every day by God's hand, just like their forefathers. Then they would call it a miracle.
Remember how the forefathers' felt after being fed manna every day? Read Numbers 11. The manna wasn't enough, they wanted meat; one miracle isn't enough - give us more God and we will grumble and complain against You if You don't!
Now I have to re-think my impatience with this bunch - why? Because it hits close to home. I've seen God provide over and again in my life, yet I don't always accept His providence with thanksgiving. The same grumbling and doubt fill my heart when God witholds something I want.
How ridiculous they didn't get it - how ridiculous that I dont!
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22
Monday, December 5, 2011
Plans and Purpose
John 6:25-29
Don't we all want to know the reason for our existence? Why we are here, and what we are supposed to be doing while we're here? So we set out on a search for something to give our lives validity; a great career, fame, fortune, fulfilling relationships. Any of these will give us something to do - a goal to reach, will fill our time and maybe our scrapbook. Some might even give us a line or two in a Google search!
Does God have plans for us? Psalm 40:5 says, "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them they would be too many to declare." Yes, He is involved and interested in our life plans.
The crowd that Jesus fed is surprised to find Him across the lake the next day. He knows thier motive for seeking Him out; they were there because He fed them. So He tells them not to, "... work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." So they ask Jesus what action was needed on their part, "... to do the works God requires?"
What does God require of us? We know He has plans, ..."For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11), but how do we know what those plans are - what do they look like in our lives?
"...The work of God is this;" Jesus answered the crowd, "to believe in the One He has sent." God's plan for us is to believe in His Son Jesus, "the One He has sent." In Christ we find our purpose, the plan God has for us. Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10).
We have a reason for being here. God has a plan for our lives. Our existence has meaning and purpose. The Creator of the Universe is interested in you, personally, and what action does He require on your part?
To believe in the One He has sent - Jesus.
Don't we all want to know the reason for our existence? Why we are here, and what we are supposed to be doing while we're here? So we set out on a search for something to give our lives validity; a great career, fame, fortune, fulfilling relationships. Any of these will give us something to do - a goal to reach, will fill our time and maybe our scrapbook. Some might even give us a line or two in a Google search!
Does God have plans for us? Psalm 40:5 says, "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them they would be too many to declare." Yes, He is involved and interested in our life plans.
The crowd that Jesus fed is surprised to find Him across the lake the next day. He knows thier motive for seeking Him out; they were there because He fed them. So He tells them not to, "... work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." So they ask Jesus what action was needed on their part, "... to do the works God requires?"
What does God require of us? We know He has plans, ..."For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11), but how do we know what those plans are - what do they look like in our lives?
"...The work of God is this;" Jesus answered the crowd, "to believe in the One He has sent." God's plan for us is to believe in His Son Jesus, "the One He has sent." In Christ we find our purpose, the plan God has for us. Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10).
We have a reason for being here. God has a plan for our lives. Our existence has meaning and purpose. The Creator of the Universe is interested in you, personally, and what action does He require on your part?
To believe in the One He has sent - Jesus.
Friday, December 2, 2011
In the Storm
John 6:16-21
Several years ago, when our children were young, we decided to take them snorkling off the coast of Maui at Molokini Crater. We boarded the boat and looked forward to showing them the beautiful fish that lived near the crater. We were settled into our seats enjoying the views when a strong wind came up. The water became choppy, our boat tossed on the waves. Fear and nausea replaced the excitement!
The disciples had left the mountainside and Jesus sent the crowd home. Jesus stayed to pray, the disciples had been instructed to board a ship and head across the lake. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. In Mark 6:48 it tells us that Jesus, "...saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them." Jesus walks out on the lake to their boat, and they are terrified. They don't recognize Him. We are told in Mark 6:49 that, "...they thought He was a ghost."
"Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." He tells them. Then He gets into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore they were headed to.
The disciples were battered by the wind, their hard work at the oars wasn't getting them to the shore. Jesus sees exactly what is happening even though He isn't with them. They are obeying His instruction, but His instruction has brought them into storm and trial.
It's interesting that they seem to be trying to tough it out themselves. Several were fishermen, so were probably accustomed to being caught on the water in a storm. When Jesus shows up they are terrified - of Him! They didn't call out to be saved, they didn't even recognize Him. Jesus wasn't put off as we might be, He calms the storm and their fears, bringing them safely to shore.
Our self-sufficiency can't get us through the storms in life. We may think we don't need Christ, that we've made it before and we'll make it again. But we end up stuck in the middle of the lake, winds and waves battering us. Christ knows. He's been watching and knows all about the storm and our weakness. Recognize Him, and have courage, because He is the One that can bring us safely to shore!
Several years ago, when our children were young, we decided to take them snorkling off the coast of Maui at Molokini Crater. We boarded the boat and looked forward to showing them the beautiful fish that lived near the crater. We were settled into our seats enjoying the views when a strong wind came up. The water became choppy, our boat tossed on the waves. Fear and nausea replaced the excitement!
The disciples had left the mountainside and Jesus sent the crowd home. Jesus stayed to pray, the disciples had been instructed to board a ship and head across the lake. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. In Mark 6:48 it tells us that Jesus, "...saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them." Jesus walks out on the lake to their boat, and they are terrified. They don't recognize Him. We are told in Mark 6:49 that, "...they thought He was a ghost."
"Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." He tells them. Then He gets into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore they were headed to.
The disciples were battered by the wind, their hard work at the oars wasn't getting them to the shore. Jesus sees exactly what is happening even though He isn't with them. They are obeying His instruction, but His instruction has brought them into storm and trial.
It's interesting that they seem to be trying to tough it out themselves. Several were fishermen, so were probably accustomed to being caught on the water in a storm. When Jesus shows up they are terrified - of Him! They didn't call out to be saved, they didn't even recognize Him. Jesus wasn't put off as we might be, He calms the storm and their fears, bringing them safely to shore.
Our self-sufficiency can't get us through the storms in life. We may think we don't need Christ, that we've made it before and we'll make it again. But we end up stuck in the middle of the lake, winds and waves battering us. Christ knows. He's been watching and knows all about the storm and our weakness. Recognize Him, and have courage, because He is the One that can bring us safely to shore!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Enough - With Leftovers!
John 6:1-15
Jesus has crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee with His disciples. He looks up from his mountainside position and sees a great crowd of people following Him. They are following because He can heal thier physical infirmities. Miraculous healings - the blind could see, lame could walk, lepers were made whole. Jesus was healing the hopeless, and the crowd came to be healed, or witness the healings.
The crowd would also be hungry, Jesus knew, but had little access to food. He turns to His disciple Philip and asks, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" This was a test for Philip. You can almost see him doing the math; "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" he answered. Philip wasn't sure where the bread would come from, but knew the cost of feeding a crowd of this size would be 2/3 of a year's wages.
Andrew, another of the disciples, speaks up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish..." He sees that there are some resources available, but "...how far will they go among so many?"
Jesus simply has the crowd sit down, takes the five loaves and two small fish, and thanks God for what He has provided. When the food was distributed, it was enough for all to eat as much as they wanted. The leftovers were gathered so nothing would be wasted. Twelve baskets were filled.. This, after five thousand men were fed from five loaves of bread and two fish; that count didn't include the women and children who were also fed. Truly a miracle!
Philip calculated what it would cost to feed the crowd, and the figure made it impossible. Andrew found food, but common sense told him it was too little to feed such a large group. Jesus saw the five loaves of bread and two fish and knew that it was plenty with His Father's blessing. He thanked God for what He had provided and started passing it out. He didn't scrimp - each had all they wanted, and there were leftovers.
Are we caught up in the numbers of what it costs to serve? Are we overwhelmed by so much need and so little resources? We should thank God for the blessings we have, knowing He can provide for every need - with leftovers!
Jesus has crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee with His disciples. He looks up from his mountainside position and sees a great crowd of people following Him. They are following because He can heal thier physical infirmities. Miraculous healings - the blind could see, lame could walk, lepers were made whole. Jesus was healing the hopeless, and the crowd came to be healed, or witness the healings.
The crowd would also be hungry, Jesus knew, but had little access to food. He turns to His disciple Philip and asks, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" This was a test for Philip. You can almost see him doing the math; "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" he answered. Philip wasn't sure where the bread would come from, but knew the cost of feeding a crowd of this size would be 2/3 of a year's wages.
Andrew, another of the disciples, speaks up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish..." He sees that there are some resources available, but "...how far will they go among so many?"
Jesus simply has the crowd sit down, takes the five loaves and two small fish, and thanks God for what He has provided. When the food was distributed, it was enough for all to eat as much as they wanted. The leftovers were gathered so nothing would be wasted. Twelve baskets were filled.. This, after five thousand men were fed from five loaves of bread and two fish; that count didn't include the women and children who were also fed. Truly a miracle!
Philip calculated what it would cost to feed the crowd, and the figure made it impossible. Andrew found food, but common sense told him it was too little to feed such a large group. Jesus saw the five loaves of bread and two fish and knew that it was plenty with His Father's blessing. He thanked God for what He had provided and started passing it out. He didn't scrimp - each had all they wanted, and there were leftovers.
Are we caught up in the numbers of what it costs to serve? Are we overwhelmed by so much need and so little resources? We should thank God for the blessings we have, knowing He can provide for every need - with leftovers!
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