SEEING THE UNSEEN

“As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth” (John 9:1).

The first miracle, in the account of the healing of the man born blind, is that he was even noticed at all. While we are conditioned to look away from those society has deemed as “different,” the gospels note that, regardless of the setting, the eyes of Jesus were drawn to the hurting. He sees those everyone else ignores, discounts, dismisses, marginalizes, and overlooks. It’s a visual lesson of how we must allow the Spirit to retrain our eyes and clear up our blind spots.

MORE THAN THE FACTS

“But there are some of you who do not believe” (John 6:64).

Prior to becoming a follower of Christ, you could have asked any question regarding Jesus as the Son of God and I would have affirmed belief in any tenet of the faith. Hearing such an acknowledgement you, likely, would have assumed me a Christian. I was not! In fact, I would have been in the same camp as the demons, who also believe (James 2:19). I was pursuing a life of my own design and pleasure. From a biblical perspective, a belief unto salvation is proved out not by intellectual assent but the life that is being pursued. You may sometimes live what you say you believe, but you will always live what you really believe.

TRIED, TESTED, PROVED

“We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God” (John 6:69)

In response to Jesus’ question of whether or not they too, like all the others who called themselves disciples, wanted to go away (v.67), Peter speaks without hesitation for the remaining twelve. Essentially, he’s saying the principles and precepts you set forth in the Bread of Life sermon (v.26-58), that caused others to walk away troubled, we have actually embraced and put into practice. Peter’s use of the perfect tense in association with “believed” and “know,” indicates action that is continual and ongoing. Because they have stayed the course, it has resulted in an astute theological insight—Jesus is the Holy One of God. With this realization, why would we leave?

DESIRING EXCELLENCE

“But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31).

Like the gift of eternal life, our spiritual gift/s are but the offerings of God’s grace; they are not earned or deserved. God’s gifts are but a means of discovering a more excellent way of approaching and living life—in service to the body of Christ. Discovering the joy that comes with this kind of life creates a longing for even greater gifts; that we might be of even greater service. The excellent way He has set before us is a race with no finish line.

WANTING MORE

“He has also set eternity in their heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

I cannot remember a time in my life when I wasn’t longing for and thinking about the eternal; the innate sense that life was intended for more than the charade we so casually refer to as life.  According to the Wisdom writer, the idea of the transcendent is wired into our DNA. This may offer the best explanation as to why atheists, strangely, seem to be so preoccupied with God.

WALK AWAY TO WHAT?

“As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore” (John 6:66).

Mentioned often in the gospels are the crowds that followed Jesus. At one point, Luke writes that so many thousands were gathering, they were stepping on one another (Lk.12:1). Among these were a great many who counted themselves disciples of Jesus. By the end of the Bread of Life sermon (v.26-58), this number was reduced to twelve. I’ve often wondered, “To what did all the others they walk away?” You always follow something, never nothing. If you walk away to a belief system that is more accommodating and pleasing to the ear, so what? The momentary is a poor exchange for the eternal. Too many walk away too soon and never discover the true riches of following after Him.

A FAITH THAT ENDURES

“And He was saying, ‘For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father’” (John 6:65).

These comforting words of reassurance are a reminder that genuine salvation originates in the heart of God. The transformation of the new birth makes one a new creation in Christ Jesus, and will stand the test of time into all eternity. It stands in stark contrast to a religion based upon church membership, and the perfunctory acts required to be a member of good standing. From either boredom, disappointment, or more entertaining options, people of a religion such as this soon fade away.

THERE’S ALWAYS SOME

“‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him” (John 6:64).

Though speaking to a large gathering who call themselves disciples, Jesus is never surprised by those who, having given the appearance of following him, eventually fall away. As Paul wrote, “For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel” (Rom. 9:6) Or, as John later penned, “They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us” (1 John 2:19). Do not be discouraged by those who drop out of the race but, rather, be encouraged by those who faithfully endure and stay the course through every season of life.

TRIED, TESTED, PROVED

“We have believed and have come to know that Your are the Holy One of God” (John 6:69)

In response to Jesus’ question of whether or not they too, like all the others who called themselves disciples, wanted to go away (v.67), Peter speaks without hesitation for the remaining twelve. Essentially, he’s saying the principles and precepts you set forth in the Bread of Life sermon (v.26-58), that caused others to walk away troubled, we have actually embraced and put into practice. Peter’s use of the perfect tense in association with “believed” and “know,” indicates action that is continual and ongoing. Because they have stayed the course, it has resulted in an astute theological insight—Jesus is the Holy One of God. With this realization, why would we leave?

WORD AND SPIRIT

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (John 6:63).

Do you desire for God’s Spirit to accomplish more and more of his bidding in your life? Then you must know, it will not be realized apart from the words of Jesus. His words are the vehicle by which God’s Spirit delivers the means of a transformed life. This is also the argument of Paul, that the Spirit is received by having heard with faith the word of the crucified Christ (Gal. 3:2). Life in the Spirit is not acquired, fulfilled, or sustained by “feelings” or “emotions” but an unquenchable thirst for the word of God.