John 6:34-45 (KJV)
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? 43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. (Emphasis, mine)
What in the World Is He (Jesus) Talking About?
Text of “Our Father” prayer with Trinity in central column (God the Father, dove of the Holy Spirit, Jesus) and Biblical and symbolic scenes in left and right columns. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
People were not happy to hear Jesus say that He is the bread that came down from Heaven. Many were astonished to hear Him even remotely compare Himself to being like the historically venerated manna! They used Jesus’ very existence to try to prove that He could not be of Heavenly origin. Using earthly motives and reasoning, they were unable and unwilling to process the truths that Jesus had presented to them.
Things are no different today. Men and women go to church to get what they want, not what God wants for them. They see Jesus as a magical and highly reliable slot machine. They know that Jesus can deliver, but what they want is for Him to deliver the things of this world: houses, cars, money and prestige. They want Jesus to make them look good in the eyes of men, but do not care to hear what Jesus thinks of them. Such a disposition is caused by a hardened, selfish, and sinful heart that can only be cured by “eating the flesh and drinking the blood” of the Son of God.
Seeing the wrong reactions to the truth presented by the people in this narrative from the gospel of John, what then is my prayer? My prayer is this:
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the many ways in which I have failed to see you and rejected your love for me. Forgive me for the many ways in which I have misused and misunderstood your gifts. Lead me Lord, to Your higher good. Teach me to love you in spirit and in truth, and to tell others of your goodness, that they may know and love you as well. Thank you Father, for Jesus, the Bread of Life, and the gift of the Holy Spirit who daily leads us into all truth. In Jesus’ precious and mighty name, I praise you! Amen.
May these words educate and comfort you today. Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
– Verneda
© 2013 Verneda Lights. All Rights Reserved.
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