Groups Guy

Wow there is truly so much in this chapter. I’ve been thinking of how many powerful themes arise is this section.

Think about ….

1. Jesus‘ challenge to the disciples, “You feed them.” This blows the disciples out of the water. “We can’t pay for this?? We only have a boy with a small lunch.” And yet Jesus pushes their faith and then he feeds well over 5000 people. The disciples had to be amazed. They must have thought, “This guy asks and does the impossible.” Am I ready for such a challenge from the Savior?
2. In that same story I thought this morning Jesus provides. When we bring only a little he makes it work. I remember specific times when I worked for Young Life and we didn’t have enough kids for a trip and somehow the Lord got more there. I remember too times when we didn’t have the budget raised and somehow at the end of the year he provided it. When I was out of options he found a way.
3. What is my work tomorrow I am to do?? What does Jesus want? John 6 says, “The work of God is to believe in the one he sent.” We need to give up thinking the heroic service we do is what he wants. Jesus wants me to trust him, to believe his words, to live how he wants me to. Will we do the work he desires?
4. “Don’t work for the food that spoils, but for the food that lasts into eternal life.” Another powerful reminder. I think of how many things we do that fade or spoil. We can spend so much time worrying about things that will amount to nothing. We can have so much fun and entertain ourselves that we do not build our life. How can I bring God’s Word more deeply into my life? How can we meditate on his truth more effectively? How can I cultivate godly character in my life? How can I allow God to build his character in me?
5. Then Jesus shares one of my all time favorite sayings. “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” I am to bring Jesus into my life. I am to ingest him and make him so a part of my everyday. That is believing and receiving Jesus. When I do that I will not hunger or thirsty. Those are such powerful metaphors. It is actually hard to express. We can find real satisfaction. We can have enough. We do not have to fear being empty. Jesus has a rich banquet waiting for us. We’ve got it good.