To Whom Shall We Go?
Good Morning Friends,
Got a problem? We have options. We can turn to family, teachers, friends, doctors, ministers…the options are endless. But when it comes to a spiritual question and our avoidance of spiritual death there is only one person with relevant experience. We may be looking for another answer but it is not there at all. Friends, know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the light before you ask, To Whom Shall We Go?
Scripture: Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
John 6:57-69 (NRSV)
17If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. 18You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.
I Peter 1: 17-21 (NRSV)
Message: Rome in the first century had a welfare program they called Bread for Peace. The plan backfired because the demands of the crowds simply grew and grew. Jesus knew He faced a similar problem after He had fed the masses. In response he said that He was the Bread of life. He told the crowds: Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. (John 6:27) We need to feed the poor and hungry but conversion to Christianity in exchange for food and benefits is not the answer. The class warfare when Jesus walked this earth is all too similar to the class warfare we face today. If we are Jesus’ disciples we carry with us to ability to turn everything upside down once again. There is no turning back now. Jesus is the only way our spiritual needs can be met. If we are focused on the materialistic we will be disappointed. Following Jesus is not a gravy train. Ok, that may not be the answer you were looking for and I understand that all too well. But know this. Jesus will expose our motives. Jesus will expose our false religion. Jesus will expose our unbelief and false pretense all because God wants us to have and receive His life saving, grace giving, everlasting fulfillment of His perfect love. Friends, there is a connection between purification, love and eternity.
Pray for family and friends that do not follow Christ. Pray we have a real interest in a relationship with God. Pray that we believe that in all things that matter the answer is Jesus. Pray that the next time we partake of communion we remember that Jesus is the Bread of Life. Pray we are follows not just fans of Jesus .Pray we desire to have a close intimate, personal and loving relationship with God. Pray we meet the test of allegiance. Pray we realize that sometimes the answers we have in our heads are the wrong one. Pray we are honestly seeking answers. Pray we taste the goodness of God. Pray we get rid of evil in our lives. Pray we crave good. Pray we grow spiritually. Pray we really have the hope of the resurrection in our hearts. Pray we really believe. Pray we are really ready to trust God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 