What Counts with God
Opening Prayer
Gracious God, as I read Your Holy Word, give me an even greater desire to know it and follow it.
Read John 6:25-40
[25] When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” [26] 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. [27] 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.” [28] Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” [29] Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” [30] So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? [31] Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” [32] Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. [33] For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” [34] “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” [35] Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. [36] But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. [37] All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. [38] For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. [39] And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. [40] For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How did Jesus describe himself and his work?God never despises the ordinary or the material. After all, he made it all and, in Jesus’ incarnation, affirms its goodness and worth. God is offended when we fail to recognize his eternal presence beyond the evidence we can see, hear, taste, smell and feel. Jesus’ first statement to those who seek him is to point out that it was simple hunger which got their attention. They need to go beyond that (26,27). The miracles are a start (14:11) but they must lead to greater understanding and faith. Have you ever struggled to understand something, or had the frustration of trying to explain something to people who just don’t “get it”? This happens many times in John’s Gospel; the people here want a clear sign like the ones their ancestors had experienced. Jesus doesn’t say, “but you’ve just seen one!” Like a good teacher, he wants to push them just a little farther, so he points out that the Father now has much more for them. Living bread is available; and they don’t even have to form an orderly line! That life-giving source, that staple commodity is Jesus himself, the Bread of Life.
Apply
Pray for a deeper experience of knowing Jesus as that Bread of Life. What might that mean for you today?
Closing prayer
Lord, feed me on the true Bread of Life each day. May I never substitute anyone or anything less!
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