Listening to Remove Fear

16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19When they had rowed about three or four miles,^b they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. (John 6)

Thoughts: If you love Jesus, listening to His voice brings comfort and peace.  This is why Jesus spoke, "It is I don't be afraid."  The disciples were afraid of the unknown.  They had never seen a figure walking on water before, and there was a raging storm on top of that.  Focusing on Jesus helps us to courageously face our fears and even death.  Jesus rose from the dead, he mastered the wind and the waves.  He is able to rescue us from our biggest common enemy- death.  Certainly the disciples were changed from those who cowered here in the boat, or those who cowered in the upper room after the crucifixion into courageous and bold witnesses who would risk their lives for the name and honor of Jesus.  Jesus transformed fishermen and tax collectors into those who spoke boldly to thousands and would change the world.  He can give us courage and strength as we look to Him today too.  What are you afraid of?  Jesus is greater than your biggest fear.  Look and listen to Him. 

Prayer: Lord, help me not to look at the waves and problems around me- but to listen to your voice calling to me in the storm. 

Going Out of Our Way To LIsten

1Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4The Jewish Passover Festival was near.

5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. (John 6:1-6)

Thoughts; The people wanted to hear the good news about Jesus, and they would go anywhere to do it.  They would cross around the Sea of Galilee, travelling for a full day- away from stores and food and conveniences.  They didn't carefully plan- they just responded in trust. Jesus rewarded their trust by feeding them- even 5,000+ of them.
       In our day, people will follow Christ, but only if it is convenient.  Only if it doesn't interfere with our fun or the fun of our kids. Some will come but only if the heat or air conditioning is right.  Some will come to follow Jesus but only if they can be comfortable.  Today many would tell us to walk by sight but to have faith.  If you want faith, you need to walk by faith- and let God supply your needs. Put your life and your time into Jesus' hands and see if He will not bless it. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you are trustworthy and your care for your people.  Help me to give myself fully in trust to you.   

2/17/14- Many Turn Away

60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.65He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

67“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

70Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71(He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.) (John 6:60-70)

Thoughts: It is a hard saying that Jesus is the Bread of Life- and that He is the One who gives eternal life.  He speaks of eating His flesh and drinking His blood- which is also a hard saying if you think it is gnawing Jesus' skin or sipping His blood through a straw.  Just as when Jesus said he was the Living Water- He wasn't talking of H2O, or when He spoke of being born again He wasn't talking of going back into the womb as an adult- He was speaking of spiritual feeding.  He hinted at this in vs. 63- when He said the Spirit gives life and the fleshly things count for nothing.
      From this point on many left.  Jesus also was very conscious that He would be betrayed (vs. 64, 70).  Jesus gave up being a popular hero when he refused to just keep providing physical bread, and refused a crown.  Perhaps it was because Jesus refused to be a popular political ruler who would stand against the Roman Empire that people left Him and Judas began to think of betrayal.  But the crowd's leaving and Jesus' talk of a betrayer solidified the eleven who remained with Him.  Peter's words are also our words.  In a skeptical world in which people are leaving Christ left and right in the West over some (often false) criticism of Christ or His followers, there is still no one else who offers life.  There is no other religious leader who offers real hope beyond the grave- thus giving meaning to this life.

Prayer: Lord, help me to cling to you, even if I do not fully understand.  Help me to believe in order to understand. Help me to believe in order to find eternal life.

2/15/14- Father and Son

 44“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. 46No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. (John 6:44-47)

Thoughts: Jesus is speaking of His intimate relationship with God the Father.  No one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them.  The Father sent Jesus to us, and sends us to Jesus.  He is the matchmaker- the one who draws us to Christ.  He is the Match.com or Christianmingle.com guy who brings the bride (the Church) to the bridegroom (Jesus).  We cannot come on our own.  The invitation comes to us in various ways- but it comes.  Jesus goes on to say if we know the Father's will, we will understand the Son.  The Son alone knows the Father intimately, and can reveal Him to us. Therefore we should trust Him. In human relationships too- if you know the son, you have an inside road to know the father and vice versa.  

Prayer:  Lord, let me understand your love and your relationship..  Help me to trust in you, Lord, that I might see the Father. 

(ChristianMingle logo- The Father arranges our getting close to the Son).