Following Jesus all the way
John 6
7 May 2017
Ps Renny Khoo
The illustration of two sisters fighting over a pair of slippers and how they ‘handle’ the situation where both are satisfied with the outcome brings us too to the question of how we will handle questions or situations that challenges us in our Christian walk.
John 6: 66 “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”
As we have decided to follow Jesus, there will be many situation and temptation and many may find it easier to leave and not follow Jesus. It is in these situations when we learn to handle the challenges post will we be able to continue to follow Jesus.
John 6 recorded two accounts that the disciples faced which is considered as challenging situations.Capernaum to Bethsaida is a short trip on the lake - Sea of Galilee. On that day / night, there was a strong wind.
1. Tough situation John 6: 3 - 21
a. Impossible task
When Jesus decided to take time to rest and pray in Bethsaida a little way from Capernaum, the multitudes followed him and Jesus seeing their needs had compassion and decided to minister to them. As the day went into the late evening, the multitudes were still present and there were no nearby convenient stores for them to address their physical needs. Jesus being aware of this asked the disciples to feed them. The disciples were at a lost to address the multitude needs as it will cost much to do so (eight months’ pay) and they do not have the financial means nor resources nearby. It was an impossible task. In the midst of all this, Philip was able to find a boy who has 2 fish and 5 loaves which was meant for his lunch. This meagre resource was multiplied by Jesus to feed the multitude of 5 thousand.
The lesson learnt is that Jesus is able to multiply whatever resource that we have to meet our unsurmountable task/ need that is before us. In the area of church ministry, the little that we can give and offer matters to the work of the Kingdom of God. It is in God’s hands the multiplication of our little that we offer happens and it affects people lives.
b. Unpredicted storm
What supposed to be a routine trip to pick up Jesus in the shores of Capernaum became life threatening when a storm met them in the sea of Galilee. Even the disciples of Jesus encounters storms in their lives but Jesus came to them when the disciples were afraid and were struggling to control the boat in the midst of the storm. Likewise, for us in the midst of our struggles with a death threat, relational breakdown, fragmented relationship, financial struggle, a wayward child or just generally in a tough position, we press in until the Lord say “it is I, do not be afraid” John 6: 20. Push by the strong wind and hard press, anxious of the days ahead, take comfort as we strain at our oars of life, we must ask and welcome Jesus to come on board. As He comes on board, He will take charge to bring to conclusion our life struggles.
2. Trying questions 6. 22 to 71
a. What should I do to be saved
Jesus was asked “Is it by good works we can be saved?”
Jesus answered that it is not by one’s works but in believing in whom God had sent, which was Him, Jesus. Other religion may claim otherwise but Jesus claim was exclusive for it is only through Jesus we find God the Father.
b. Who should I believe
Up till the feeding of the five thousand, they only saw Jesus as the prophet Moses in Deuteronomy 18 where another prophet will be raise like Moses but cannot understand Jesus as the Son of God as in Isaiah 61.
c. What sign or work is God performing
Despite the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 they still wanted more sign for in their mind Jesus is still a prophet who like Moses gave manna to feed the people. However, Jesus corrected them in John 6: 32, 33 by teaching them that the manna came from God, the Father and now He has given Jesus, the bread of God who comes from heaven to give life to the world. Jesus was declaring that He is the living bread v51 and whoever who eat this bread and drink of this blood, he will have no life. At that time, the Jews did not understand but Jesus was referring to His death on the cross. It is a wonder for through the Son of Man our guilt is removed, our search for truth satisfied, our security made complete and we can live a life based on hope.
Conclusion
Tough situations are not without reason, but we must be prepared to grow stronger
Trying questions are not without answers but we must be prepared to search for the truth. Many are unwilling to accept the above and chose not to continue to follow Jesus as in John 6: 61. But the 12 stayed on for they have come to believe the Jesus has the words of eternal life, they believe he is the holy one of God and they followed Him all the way.
The challenge for us is that in our journey, we too will have to make a commitment to Jesus to follow all the way and not just believing of his existence or what he has done. His presence is always with us for he is a good shepherd and he will guide us and hold our hand be it in the mountain or in the valley, high or low time, in good or tough situation, with answers or searching for it, in confronting tough situation or embracing trying questions, we press on to hear the God’s voice say “it is I, do not be afraid”.
Questions :-
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