Happy Dependence Day
Good Morning Friends,
Today is a day of parades and fireworks. It will be sensational. Do have a Happy Fourth of July! But as I think about it this morning it reminds me of the crowds that gathered around Jesus before the Passover and Passion. It reminds me of the disciples and their varied motivations. And it raises some questions about our behavior as a culture today in response to people we follow. It prompts a need in me to ask why. So do you follow Jesus because you think he is a sensational God? What is the motivation behind it? Many of those who followed Jesus wanted to see the fireworks. Others liked the thrill of a parade. Then some of the followers were moralistic hairsplitters promoting a particular cause of protecting the status quo. Honestly some followed him only because they sought excitement. Worship misguided can be motivated by this desire. I guess I am most disturbed by those driven by a desire to have power to control. These are the ones who too often have lost faith to trust in God. Jesus faced such people. Then there are those that followed him because they sought a revolution. I am inspired most by the few that consecrate their lives to him, but honestly most of those who do so become isolated and so do not reach others with the heart of the matter. Honestly we have much to repent about. But the deepest emotion of motivation is one that warms the hearts of people. Revolution and contemplative isolation do not prepare the hearts of the masses to help redeem what has been lost. That friends is why people follow the grace of the Good Shepherd. He heals and feeds the heart of the flock. Have a Happy Dependence Day.
Scripture: The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which[b] comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
John 6:22-34 (NRSV)
Message: When Jesus walked this earth, a vast multitude followed Him. This morning I am meditating on the reasons we follow Jesus. Sure it is a hard question, but if we are honest and committed to being His disciples we must address it. The problem is that there are many noble reasons for following Jesus and just as many selfish ones. If we are serious about this relationship we have to figure out if our commitment goes beyond emotions and needs. If it does not we will become cynical about the whole thing. Many followed Jesus and wanted to know Christ and walk closely with Him. The same is true today. So why do you follow Jesus? Are you in His parade?
Pray we walk close to God and with people. Pray we realize that there is a cost of following Jesus. Pray we realize that sometimes it will be difficult to follow Jesus. Pray we realize that being with Jesus will bring us closer to some people we may not like. Pray we on the journey not limit our faith to moralism, pursuit of political influence, or the seeking of power. Pray we love the things of God and follow the heart and healing of Jesus. Pray we discover and follow the light of Jesus and not be blinded by all the fireworks.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 