Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, "this is truly the prophet who has come into the world. So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone......Jesus answered them and said, "Truly, Truly I say to you, you seek Me not because you saw sign, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled."
-John 6:14-15, 26
The bread of life seems to be the accurate title for this post. For a few weeks I have been focused on this chapter of John and these 3 verse, 2 fragments of scripture seem to stand and scream to all for those who hear the gospel. This chapter is centered around the true story of the feeding of the 5000 that many us know. But what do we see when we read this chapter? Do we see the miracle and stop there or do we look deeper into what Jesus is saying and what He is telling us even now?
In short, He fed the 5000, walked on water and boarded the disciples boat, and then rebuked those who sought Him. Verses 32-58 give us the answer to the question regarding the bread, but many choose to stay back in the beginning where they are getting fed. It bothers me that we seek Jesus only in times of need. We seek Him only when we are hungry. We get our fill and turn away. He is all fulfilling. The people sought Him not because of the sign He performed, but because they got what they wanted. He was useful to them at the moment and once they were full, He was no longer needed. What they did not understand was that the sign was not about the fruit, but it was about the Man who gave the fruit. He is the bread of life.....not the bread that satisfies the physical hunger, but the bread that satisfies our spiritual hunger. He is all satisfying. If he is not then I suggest you pray and seek the answer as to why you seek Him in your life.
Do you only seek Him when you are hungry? Or are you so satisfied in Him that you will never hunger again?
answering His call...
For almost a year now I have wrestled a calling in my life that I have done everything in my power to fight against, to deny, to walk away from. I've found out just how miserable a person can become when they are not doing the task that God has set out before them. Don't get me wrong, I have not been depressed or walking around in gloom and doom. Its just that sleepless nights and a constant conviction can really wear a person down. It wears you down physically, mentally, and most of all spiritually. Every time I closed my Bible I would feel convicted. Each time I left youth on Wednesday night I would feel the burden. Every morning after Sunday school and worship I knew the call was being made and He was waiting for me to answer.
I finally answered that call this passed Tuesday. I shared it with my wife and chose not to tell anyone else til yesterday. God has called me into His service. I don't know what He wants me to do or where He wants me to go and that has got to be the scariest feeling in my life. But its just a feeling...its not real. Whats real is my faith in Christ. That is where our joy is found. He is our place of relief. I have faith that God will provide for me and my family...I know that He will see that our needs are met. I trust Him.
So what about your life? What is God calling you to do? It may not be full-time service like the ministry, but that doesn't mean that its not as important. Maybe its to become a Sunday School teacher or to drive the church bus. Each member of the Body of Christ are equal together in the service they do...after all we all work because of the other. So I plead with you to answer His call. I know its scary...but its only scary because we cannot understand the goodness He has in store for us and we have spent far too long putting our trust in ourselves and being disappointed, instead putting our trust in Him and being lifted up. He will not disappoint. He will not stop the good work and that He has started in you...I'm not perfect, as a matter of fact I get pretty disgusted with myself at times...but I know that He will qualify and equip me to carry out His task. So please pray for me, as I pray for you. Most all pray that no matter what, He gets all the glory through our lives...
I finally answered that call this passed Tuesday. I shared it with my wife and chose not to tell anyone else til yesterday. God has called me into His service. I don't know what He wants me to do or where He wants me to go and that has got to be the scariest feeling in my life. But its just a feeling...its not real. Whats real is my faith in Christ. That is where our joy is found. He is our place of relief. I have faith that God will provide for me and my family...I know that He will see that our needs are met. I trust Him.
So what about your life? What is God calling you to do? It may not be full-time service like the ministry, but that doesn't mean that its not as important. Maybe its to become a Sunday School teacher or to drive the church bus. Each member of the Body of Christ are equal together in the service they do...after all we all work because of the other. So I plead with you to answer His call. I know its scary...but its only scary because we cannot understand the goodness He has in store for us and we have spent far too long putting our trust in ourselves and being disappointed, instead putting our trust in Him and being lifted up. He will not disappoint. He will not stop the good work and that He has started in you...I'm not perfect, as a matter of fact I get pretty disgusted with myself at times...but I know that He will qualify and equip me to carry out His task. So please pray for me, as I pray for you. Most all pray that no matter what, He gets all the glory through our lives...
