In today’s passage, the crowd that saw the miraculous feeding of the 5000, follow Jesus across the lake and want more signs. Jesus tells them more than they can handle.
click here for an online Bible John 6:22-59
Feeding the 5000 was quite a miracle. Many people believed in Jesus after the feeding. Others were still just curious or there for the show. A group followed Jesus looking for more miracles. They were impressed by the bread that Jesus produced and asked for more. Jesus told them to stop seeking physical bread and instead seek spiritual bread. They said they would like some of the bread of life. Jesus told them that he was the bread of life. They don’t get it. They still are looking for bread to eat.
I have always wondered why Jesus chose the words that he used. Why did he say that they had to eat his flesh and drink his blood. In hindsight we know he is talking about the crucifixion and that we have to receive forgiveness through his death. Why did he say eat my flesh and drink my blood? We have to be careful saying more than the Bible tells us, but I suspect that since they could not accept the plain truth (follow me – I am the way to God) that Jesus gave them more truth but in a more difficult way.
The gospel is pretty simple. But some people can’t accept a simple gospel, they have to make it more complicated. Lucky for me I’m a simple guy. If God said so, then that’s good enough for me. If I have trouble understanding his truth I believe that the problem is on my end.
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6 comments:
One can't help but wonder if the crowd was simply seeking entertainment. This was the days before most people knew how to read. This man going around performing miracles would definitely have been entertainment. It would have been like going to a dinner theater, come watch the miracle and get fed. That may sound simplistic but I'm not so sure its that far off. I can't think of how many times I've heard I don't like a certain church because I feel like I'M not getting anything out of it. I really wish this guy would say something that speaks to ME. That singer was off today, it made MY ears cringe. Meanwhile we have the truth right there in plain view, however we either don't understand or choose not to understand because it sounds different that what we are used too. We are not entertained. When the entertainment value starting wearing off many followers left. Let's not make the same mistake!!!
For 2000 years, people have been saying "that can't be all there is to it." We want a checklist, we want rules (Ten Commandments, anyone?) so that WE can achieve salvation. The simple truth that Jesus presents boggles our puny minds!
mdk
very exciting discussion point -- the truth plain and simple. Our Mother already said it "do whatever He tells you." This is so simple, but incredibly complicated to actually achieve.
There are a couple of objectives in writing this comment: 1) to relate back to earlier posts and 2) try to explain some of the complications with the simple. It is so easy to loose continuity when your goals are not clearly visible.
Second part first, there are many facets to the complication that arises from the simple. The simple so easily crosses contextual boundaries (some could argue that is the point, but there is no need to argue.) The problem with this is that when I do apply simple phrases to other contexts I have to test it to make sure it still holds water (or wine). Discovering the many different ways to test the simple phrase is a lengthy exercise. Some tests create new circumstances/context for which tests need to be reapplied. There is where the hierarchy of man made rules start to build up describing the God with which that individual was communing with/testing/eating (if you will). I feel a need to mention that the testing is not saying God prove yourself to me, but rather God strengthen my faith and testimony of you in my life. Its a lets work together kind of test -- like when peter stepped out onto the water. Try God -- by working in His promises (find His promises by reading your Bible). The problem with this is that individual people have worked closely with God and have been able to be a voice for God and provide these rules in the form of some "new" religion.
So for the first part, how does this relate back to the topic of different religions? I am defining religion as any set of man made rules for which man may reach God. This is the thing that is so True -- religion must be seen as a spring board for getting the people without a knowledge of God looking and moving into the direction of receiving from God on their own. This is why I can not condemn the other religions. I believe that when God returns (you see it -- its not when we go to Him, but when He comes to us, you see?) then there will be a call to come away from whatever religion or set of rules you have for reaching God and follow Him. Only those who still have the oil in their lamps and hear His voice will be able to follow -- we all must be studying so that we are not ashamed... ... i am drifting way too much...
thank you,
love,
ej
Jesus tells us to believe in the Father through Him for eternal salvation - it is put so simple at first. Yet, it's so hard for some to understand. I think we as humans have a difficult time understanding something we cannot see. We rely on physical things way too much. If we can see it, touch it and feel it, it must be the 'real thing,' is the worldly way. If we can accept and believe in what we cannot see, living on faith - this is the Godly way. I pray that people will grow spiritually knowing that once we are saved, we are always saved. He will not turn His back on us. Wow, I love that!
sarah upham -- I get a strange feeling that you may be wrestling with one of many truths about the faith. I do not wish to discourage you at all in what i want you to know. And it is difficult to understand and accept correction if you have believed one way for so long, but this is the point of the christian walk -- to grow. Now, i do not want you to take my word, but rather study and search for truth just between you and Him. You are correct: Jesus will always be here waiting on us to come to Him, but He is not saving the way we are today, but rather the way we will become. Today (today is not forever, the time is short) He is shaping us by calling us to Him. Gently pulling us toward Him. I do not believe we are saved (in the sense of a completed work) today. We will be saved from eternal damnation, this is my hope and faith and will remain that way until the work is complete. I expect Him to bring us through the fire (the daily temptations and the wrath to come). To draw a parallel with the current text: our Hour has not yet come, this side of Heaven. So yes, "once saved always saved." The cute little phrases we remember as a child hamper our testimony as adults. We need to have real relationships with Christ not just a bunch of paraphrases. I am so often accused of alienating my peers. I have mended my ways of reaching out to those who are put in my way (or rather along the path of life) in desperate hope of reaching someone by the spiritual hand and helping them on their way to see Jesus. But I'm still looking for the two greeks to say the magic words... "We want to see Jesus."
I wanted to share this link with everyone: http://www.livescribe.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/LDApp.woa/wa/MLSOverviewPage?sid=467mrGzsjWsL
I think the imagination of the little boy is so joyful. It reminds me that the kingdom of heaven is for the ones like this... Oh what a day that will be.
Love,
ej
There is much about the Lord that I do not understand and I simply take on faith. However, one thing I do believe to be absolutely true is that Christ lives - He is in me through the Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of God is near because of that act of love on His part. However, before I put my faith in Him I never could have made that assertion. Sometimes receiving the gift of salvation is as simple as just accepting it.
Peace,
Bobbie
Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory."
John 10:8-10 NIV "All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
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