John 6:16-24

1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 min)

2) Scripture Reading: John 6:16-24

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, ¹⁷ where 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. ¹⁸ A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. ¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. ²⁰ But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” ²¹ Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

 ²² The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. ²³ Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. ²⁴ Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

3) Questions to Consider and Devotional Thought:Would you be “willing to take Him into the boat” or would you ask Him to pass by?
If Jesus suddenly appeared to you as He had to the disciples in this passage, what would you do?

The disciples often get criticized  for their lack of faith in this passage. After all, many people have suggested to me that fear is the opposite of faith and the disciples were frightened. However, the disciples welcome Jesus into the boat knowing that He is the solution to their difficult circumstances, not a threat to their well being.

Jesus often appears to me by the power of the Holy Spirit, especially as I read His Word or when I am praying. I know it is Him because the passage or message is so clear to me. Sometimes, I am not willing to take Him into my life when He speaks to me. I say to myself, “This is not the Lord, it must be something else.” This is my typical reaction when I already have my own plans or if what Jesus is asking me to do is difficult. In essence, I ask Jesus to pass by rather than asking Him to join me.

Jesus never forces Himself on us. In fact, He is very polite. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says,  “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Did you notice that Jesus does not barge in? He politely knocks on the door of your heart and waits for you to answer. He wants us to ask Him into our lives and to allow us to join Him in His work. And when we do, we realize our real purpose for being drawn into a personal relationship with Jesus. Never forget that God chose us for a purpose. Without joining Jesus when He call to us, we will never know what that purpose is.

4) Prayer: Lord, speak to me and give me the courage to answer “yes” to what you ask of me, Amen.

5) Conclude with Silence (2 min)

John 6:41-59

1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 min)

2) Scripture Reading - John 6:41-59

⁴¹ At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” ⁴² They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

   ⁴³ “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. ⁴⁴ “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁴⁵ It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. ⁴⁶ No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. ⁴⁷ I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. ⁴⁸ I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹ Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. ⁵⁰ But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

 ⁵² Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

 ⁵³ Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁵⁵ For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. ⁵⁶ Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. ⁵⁷ Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.” ⁵⁹ He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

3) Devotional
Isn't it funny how hard it is to simply take Jesus at His word?  To embrace the life giving power of His Spirit?  To rest in the peace that comes from trusting in His word?  In this passage, He spoke some pretty life giving truths to His disciples, and all they could do is murmur over what He meant by the phrase "I came down from heaven."  They missed the essence of who Jesus is, and what He could bring to the relationships he hoped to have with them.

Men (and women) are a mysterious bunch!  I think our natural bent is to search out conflict.  People thrive in it.  We so often get caught up in and fight over, the insignificant details and miss the true essence of the Gospel.  Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost!  He cares about the poor and the marginalized.  He loves people and so desires to be their life giving bread. . . just because.

People like. . . Anthony Weiner.  I feel sorry for him.  Here's a guy who has seemingly lost his way.  At one time a potential NY mayoral candidate, and now a broken man, ready to resign his Congressional seat.  He made bad choices.  Truth of the matter is. . . we all make them, and its for people like us, that Jesus came to be life giving bread.

As a follow of Jesus, pray for Congressman Weiner, and for the people you know that need life giving bread.  Walk away from contributing to the innuendo or seamy gossip, and instead pray that God Himself would speak into their lives (yours as well), and bring forgiveness, healing and peace.  It's why He came!!

4) Questions to Consider
Is there someone in my life who I can build up with the truth of the Gospel and pray for each day, instead of belittling through demeaning talk?  Ask God to show you. . . and I believe He will.  What father would give his son stones if he asks for life giving bread!

5) Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to be a channel of your peace.  Help me to love with the supernatural life giving love that can only come from being in a trust filled relationship with You.  Use me to encourage ___________________ (fill in the blank) today, instead of tearing him down.  Let my words by like a soothing ointment.  In Jesus name, amen!