Monday, February 25, 2019

Lessons From the Crowd


This week in Bible study we have been looking at John 6. Jesus feeds the 5000, walks on water, and speaks some very hard yet glorious truth. The crowd was amazed and then disappointed when Jesus didn’t preform according to their plan. Here are a few truths I learned:

  • I AM the crowd. I don’t like to admit it, but I am. It is very easy for me to look at the disciples or the crowd of 5000 and think, “Why can’t they just get it?” My prideful self forgets to recognize that they show the reality of the human condition. Our default is to make ourselves the center of the universe, and to make God into our own image. The crowd wanted to put Jesus in a box that would work best for them and He refused to be what they wanted. He would, however, be who they needed Him to be. How often do I want Jesus to behave the way I want Him to? If am honest, I have to say most all of the time.

  • I CANNOT do it. When Jesus asked disciples, “How are we going to feed all these people?” He was looking for one response. We can’t. God calls me to do something and one of two things happen. One, I tell Him all the reason why that is impossible or two, I charge off in my own strength to fail miserably. God wants me to respond, “God I can’t do that but if that is what you want to happen then I am going to watch expectantly while You show up and do something that only You can do.” 

  • I NEVER have to walk away from God empty handed. The crowd wanted something from Jesus but He would not give them what they asked for. Instead He offered them something better. He offered abundance that is only found in Him. Why do I find myself asking, “Why won’t You give me what I want?” when I should be asking, “God show me what you have for me. Give me Your abundance.” 

  • EVERYTHING hinges on faith. Jesus tells the crowd, “Your work is to believe.” This is not belief that is a head knowledge of agreement. This is belief that grows into faith that knows God is real, and faith like this changes the way you behave and think. This kind of faith wars against the doubt that creeps into your heart in moments of adversity and this faith clings to the reality that God’s kingdom though unseen is more real than the decaying world we live in. 


These truths are rockin’ my world. They are simple truths but if lived out they have the power to change everything.