Caledonia State Park, Fayetteville, Pennsylvania
The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. ~ Proverbs 15:3
No corporate worship today, because it’s moving day. Instead, we listened to Pastor Mike on-line teach another lesson from the Good News according to John. (Gospel means Good News) Beginning in John 6:25, this week’s lesson is about Jesus being the Bread of Life.
Previously, we left off with Jesus feeding the crowd. He and his disciples have crossed back over the Sea of Galilee to His hometown of Capernaum. When the crowds realized He was gone, they went searching for Him. John 6:25 tells us they found Him.
But Jesus knows their hearts. He knows they aren’t really looking for Him. They’re looking to Him for handouts. He tells them, I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. (vs 26)
He then tells them what they need. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.
But these people are still concerned with works. They’ve lived their lives in the belief that in order to receive acceptance from God, they must do things. Very specific things. Their lives have been so inundated with “do and don’t” rules, most have probably given up hope of ever achieving God’s approval.
And so in verse 28 they ask, What must we do to do the works God requires?
Jesus gives them one simple answer. The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent. (vs 29)
But even after all they’ve seen and heard about, they still don’t get it. They ask Him for more signs. Even mentioning the fact that Moses gave the ancients bread in the desert. (Remember the manna God provided in Exodus 16?) But isn’t that what Jesus just did for them across the sea?
Jesus reminds them that it wasn’t Moses who gave them the bread from heaven. It was God the Father. . . .who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. (vs 33)
They still don’t get it. Sir, from now on give us this bread. (vs 34)
And now Jesus declares it plainly. He is the Bread from Heaven, sent by the Father to give life to all the world.
I AM the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and He who believes in Me will never be thirsty. But as I told you; you have seen Me and still you do not believe. And He goes on to assure them that once a person comes to Him, He will never let them go. Never. (vs 35-40)
And the people still don’t get it. And instead of immense joy at this revelation, they begin to grumble amongst themselves because they still see Him as just an ordinary man. Sure, a man who can miraculously feed thousands, or heal, or speak wisely, but still just an ordinary man.
How hungry are you for life? How desperate are you for something beyond your physical desires to get to the next thing? Jesus often compares people to sheep. Unguarded, unshepherded sheep move from blade to blade of grass trying to be filled, but they live in constant fear. Fear of not finding the next blade.
God designed us with physical needs so He could fulfill them, and we would know and trust Him.
Why do you chase after God? Do you do things in the hopes that He will bless you? Do you tell Him – “I go to church, I feed the hungry, I teach, I give, I read my Bible, I pray, I’m nice to strangers . . .” And unconsciously or maybe even consciously say, “I ‘expect’ You do to Your part and bless me for it.”
But it’s not faith that God desires. It’s the object of the faith. It’s belief in the One He has sent.
Do you? Do you believe in the One? The I AM? Do you honestly believe in Him? In Jesus as the Son of God and the Redeemer of your soul? The One Who came to earth to teach us what God would have us know about Him? The One Who saves you from the wrath of God the Father because He paid the penalty for your sin – – and those of the world?
Do you have the faith to believe that Jesus is exactly Who He says He is?
Fox Den Acres, New Stanton, Pennsylvania
Today brought three hours of driving plus a fuel stop and a total of 149 miles.
After dinner, we took a walk around their lake. There are quite a few campsites scattered about the property.
But we never made it back in to take pictures of the place.
It’s full – – and I mean FULL – – of taxidermied critters and mounted heads!
The office was only open a couple of hours a day.
Not sure you can see us from here.
