Tag: John 6
The Father’s Will!
Scripture reading for April 14: John 6
“Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him Who sent Me. And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given Me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”” John 6:35-40
Sin gives each person a sense of guilt and a deeper and often hidden fear of standing judgment. We often seek to suppress this fear through religion or good works or adopting lifestyles of self indulgence. But when we use good works, we can never be sure when we have done enough. Jesus told His followers several interesting things about His own will and that of His Father concerning rejection and God’s will and care. These are truths that set us free if we will believe them and act in obedience.
First of all, Jesus declared, after feeding five thousand from the loaves and fish, that He was the true ‘Bread of Life.” If anyone will come to Jesus, they will never hunger or thirst again. Whoever comes to Jesus will never be cast out or rejected. The Father gives this promise to those who believe in His Son. God’s will is that none of these will be lost, even though all but those raptured will die, they will be resurrected. Jesus assured His followers that He would raise them up on that last day. Sadly, many of those who saw Jesus and heard His Word and saw the miracles and signs never believed in Him.
When you read these amazing promises about eternal life and satisfaction of hunger and thirst, are they comforting to you or troubling? If the Father desires that all who come to Jesus, His Son, have eternal life, are you living in that assurance today? Do you fear death or look forward to the promised resurrection?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your divine and precious promises revealing Your will and love for us. I believe and rest in assurance that Your Word is eternal truth. I trust You to keep me safe, even from myself, and the schemes of Satan. You are the Bread of Life and satisfy my soul completely! Amen.
Manna from Heaven!
Scripture reading for April 13th: John 6
Key scriptures for over-comers: John 6:26-29 “Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for Me, not because you saw the miraculous signs 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. On Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”
Jesus fed over 5000 men plus women and children and large crowds followed Him. Jesus turned to confront them about their motives for following. They wanted to be taken care of with more bread! Human nature loves a free meal and plenty of it! Jesus plainly told them not to work only for food that perishes, but to work for food that endures to eternal life. He told them that they must eat His flesh–which was ‘real food’ and drink His blood, which was ‘real drink.’ This caused many to leave Him. He was telling them that He alone was the source of food for eternal life. They must trust fully in His broken body and shed blood to enter in! The Father was drawing them!
Observations for over-comers: Our appetite for Jesus determines our spiritual health. We must feed on this ‘manna from heaven’ and believe to eternal life! “They asked, and He brought them quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and water gushed out’ like a river it flowed in the desert.” (Psalm 105:40-41)
Bread from Heaven!
Scripture reading for April 14th: John 6
Jesus miraculously fed five thousand men plus women and children with five loaves of bread and two fish. The people were amazed and desired to make Him king by force so He withdrew to pray and sent His disciples across the lake in their boat. He caught up with them in the middle of the night, walking on the water! John recorded these miracles for us and went on to share Jesus’ further teaching about this miracle and what it meant.
When the people realized that Jesus and the disciples were no longer there, they also left in boats to find Him. When they found Him they asked how He got there, Jesus responded to them, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for Me not because you saw the miraculous signs 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. On Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.” (John 6:26-27) They then asked Him what they must do to do the work God required. Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One that He has sent.” (John 6:29)
“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35) Jesus declared that He alone was the ‘bread from heaven’ that all must believe on to find eternal life. People were working to find a source of bread for food, but Jesus was the most satisfying food and drink that anyone could find. The only ‘work’ that can be done is ‘believe’ in the One God sent! Have you done that?