John 6:22-71. Most of the folks within the crowd that followed Jesus across the Sea of Gallillee to Capernaum still didn't understand. They wanted to see another sign. They wanted to see another miracle. They were interested in getting their bellies full again after the feeding of the five thousand. What do we want? Do we want His presents or His presence? Do we want the gift or the Giver? He promises to bring us life and light if we will set Him apart as Lord of our hearts. Now we will discover He is the Bread of Life.
He reveals the real meaning of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Just as a reminder of last week, we should be like that little boy that offered up his meager five loaves and two fish to Jesus. "This is my life, Lord. Take it, break it, bless it, multiply it, distribute it for others' sake, and bring You glory. Jesus is the true Bread of Life. Repeatedly and continually we must eat and drink of Him, in the Spirit, just as He designed our fleshly bodies to need food and drink regularly. Even if we read His word without the Spirit, it becomes nothing more than a book of words without power-without life and light.
He is the source of all that we need, want, and hunger for. Salvation is our greatest need-and it comes from Him! He is the source of our peace, joy, strength, satisfaction, purpose, and steadfastness. We try to get satisfaction from so many other sources, whether it be hobbies, habits, addictions, pleasure, power, etc. None of those things will ever truly satisfy. Meanwhile, we steal, lie, cheat, and otherwise sabotage the drawing nigh of Jesus by pursuing other means.
Selfishness clouded the crowd's mind. They couldn't fathom eating flesh drinking blood. They needed the Spirit to understand the words of the Spirit. And thus comes one of the most daunting verses in all of scripture, John 6:66,with the number 6 being the number of man or the flesh, and 666 as belonging to the beast in Revelation. "At this time, many of Jesus's disciples left Him and walked with Him no more." I believe this is glimpse into the future as well, as we are heading into times unlike those of Noah. This is a very sad truth to accept. It will be difficult to watch fellow believers give up and turn away from faith in Jesus.
A side note on Jesus: it must've been difficult to love Judas, knowing he would betray him. Now, that is some kind of love. Are there some in our lives that we can show that kind of love to?
Times are going to get harder. Because of our selfishness, the world is going usher in the great need for redemption in the Revelation of Jesus. Walking with Jesus in a fallen world is difficult. We should be diligent to cultivate the fierceness and resolve of Jesus' character in ourselves and in our children. No more wimpy warriors! Remember our theme verse last year, "Be strong in the Lord in His mighty power." Eph. 6:10.
Trust Him completely. Lean on Him. Want Him above all else. Make darn sure you factor Him into your equation when those challenging storms come. Look for Him, not ghosts, in those times.
