Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Neeeding Vs. Wanting

"Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”  John 6:26-27



While Jesus was walking across the sea in a storm these people had made their way over the sea or around the sea for the express purpose of hoping to see Jesus.

When you see people put forth that much effort to find someone it indicates a strong agenda accompanied by high expectations. And sure enough, they weren't coming to Jesus because of Who He was but because of what they wanted Him to do for them. Maybe another miraculous meal or some other supernatural feat they could marvel over.

Isn't it interesting how much effort people are willing to invest in finding Jesus for when they have a need they want Him to meet?

Maybe you have been guilty of that.

But of course, Jesus as the Son of God, knew their thoughts and their motives and He confronted them. "You come looking for bread that spoils but I want to give you bread that saves."

Jesus didn't agree to give them what they asked for but He offered them what they needed. He often does that!

How do you respond when God offers you something other than what you asked for? Do you insist on getting your way or can you trust Him to know what's best?

They came looking for a miracle that would meet their physical needs. Jesus offered them a miracle that would meet their spiritual needs. It was up to them to decide which need they needed most!

What do you need most from Jesus today? He knows, do you?

Will you trust Him?

August 16, 2016

"When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” John 6:25

This is a look into a day in the life of Jesus. Think about what has happened over the past 24 hours and you will understand why the crowds sailed all over the Sea of Galilee looking for Him.

Just a day earlier Jesus spent the day teaching along the shore of the sea. We find out in the recounting of this story that there were thousands who had gathered to hear Him teach the Good News!

Wouldn't you have come to hear Him?

But as the day wore on and they all became hungry His disciples realized they had a problem. They didn't want to send them away but neither did they have enough food to feed this crowd nor could they the spare the money to purchase the required provisions.

So, Jesus solved the problem by miraculously stretching a small lunch into a bread and fish buffet! 5,000 men ate until they were fully satisfied. When you factor in the women and children in their midst the feeding of the 5,000 was actually the feeding of the 12,000 to 15,000!

That is a day people still talk about 2,000 years later!

But during the night Jesus did something equally as miraculous but less celebrated! He walked across the sea!

Not only did He walk across the sea He did it during a storm!

Not only did He walk across the sea during a storm but he got into the boat with the disciples in the midst of the storm!

Not only did He walk across the sea in the midst of the storm and got into the boat with the disciples but He spoke to the storm and it stopped! Immediately!

Not only did He walk across the sea in the midst of the storm and got into the boat with the disciples and immediately calmed the storm BUT then the boat was INSTANTLY at the shore on the other side of the sea!

Wow!

No wonder the people came looking for Jesus!

The issue isn't WHY they came looking for Jesus but rather WHAT were they looking for when they came. That is important to note because it sets the stage for some hard sayings Jesus is about to proclaim.

They were interested in following Jesus because they thought He would make their live easier and He was about to challenge that notion. They came looking for the next great miracle He was about to ask for more. They were excited about what He could do for them but He was committed to what He could do in them.

Will you come looking for Jesus today?

What will you ask for once you find Him?

Are you only interested in what He can do for you or are you seeking what He wants to do in you?

Do you have a hunger in your heart?

Do you have a storm that needs to be stilled?

If you come in humility and surrender it could become an extraordinary day!