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Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.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 for ever.’ 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 6:56-69)
Good Monday to you, Friend! I trust the blessings of the Lord have been with you since we last met, and that Sunday proved to be a day of spiritual renewal. But guess what, every day can be a day of spiritual renewal. Yesterday, Nellie and I were super blessed both in our morning worship by the awesome sermon of our pastor, Matt Pennington, and later in the afternoon by the powerful sermon by Rev. Dr. Zan Holmes. I pray this be a day of spiritual renewal for all who read this devotional.
Following Jesus is not easy, nor did Jesus ever promise such a thing. Jesus honestly said that those who were willing to take up their cross and follow Him would be blessed. It's interesting that in this passage, verse 6:66 reads, "Because of this many of His disciples turned back and no longer went about with Him." That's one of the saddest verses in scripture when you think about it. Hearing Jesus' words of eternal life and having experienced all Jesus did in terms of unexplainable signs and wonders, they still chose to turn away. Jesus even offered that "out" to the 12. Simon Peter's answer is priceless, "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." And that's the key; those led by the Spirit, know spiritual things and can accept such; but those led by the flesh cannot. These are usually the ones with their eyes on their watches, whose minds are on the things that await them after worship, be it the game or the roast or the line at Luby's/Dairy Queen; these seem harmless but they can be eternally damaging. He will lead us to say, "Where else can we go? Who else offers the things of eternal life? Only You, Jesus!"
Dr. Holmes spoke of the Disciples after the feeding of the 5,000 and their lack of enthusiasm for helping Jesus before, during, and maybe even after that miracle. He said, "The Disciples failed Disciple One! But Jesus did not give them an F, nor does God give us an F when we fail; the God of Second and Many Chances gives us an Incomplete!" And so it is. We may have a task to do and we've either put it off or refuse to even attempt it, but God is patient and understanding, but God still expects us to be faithful and fruitful. I never did receive nor would I ever want to receive an INC on my report card; but I would prefer the Inc rather than an F. Lord, help me complete my assignment is my prayer.
Rev. Pennington spoke of our being a blessing to those who are in need of one. The youth and adults who went on our mission trip to Costa Rica spoke of their blessings received as they sought to be blessings to the people in Costa Rica, and our challenge, as it is every Sunday, it to face the doors leading out of worship, to the mission field where those who need us to be their blessings await. If we believe, then we should achieve that which God has shared with us to do. Let's get busy!
PRAYER: Loving God, for Your patience and faithfulness we are thankful. We are thankful for second and many chances. We pray that today we might indeed be a blessing to those who are in need. Lead us and guide us and through us bless others with the words that lead to eternal life. This we pray in Jesus' strong name, Hallelujah, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be the blessing the world needs today!
Eradio Valverde
