“But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you.” John 6:27 (NLT)
It’s the day after Jesus fed the crowd of 5000 with just 5 barley loaves and 2 fish. A miracle of provision with 12 baskets of leftovers! The crowd is searching for Jesus and when they find Him on the other side of the lake, they question when did he get there? Jesus tells them they are not looking for Him because they understand who He is, they are there because He fed them. And in verse 27 Jesus begins to change the conversation from one of physical bread, to a conversation of eternal Bread.
He tells them to not be so concerned about “perishable things,” but to put their energy on eternal things. Their focus is getting more bread to fill their stomachs. But Jesus goes on to tell them of the “true Bread from heaven.” (V. 32). He is speaking of Himself, the One who came from Heaven and gives light to the world. (V. 33)
So much of my time and energy can be used up on caring about perishable things. I can easily focus on things, schedules, programs, circumstances and tasks, all the while, miss out on what I really need. Taking care of what God has entrusted to me is important. I need to be a wise steward and be faithful to the things God has called me to. However, if my schedule gets over run with ‘stuff” that wears me out and have no eternal value, then I am missing Jesus.
During these past several months my life has looked a lot different. Just like much of the rest of the world, my schedule came to an abrupt hault. So many things were cancelled and completely removed from my calendar. I found myself with some extra time. And it was in that time that I was able to see where I had become busy with no boundaries. I have decided and I am determined that my life will not go back to what it was. I have loved the time with my family and I’m not willing to give that Up again. I missed time with people and I want to be with people more.
My prayer today is for a clearer understanding of perishable and eternal value. I desire to have a focus on those things that will last for eternity. I was recently introduced to the “Lazy Genius,” a blogger, podcaster and Author. She talks about becoming lazy with those things that really don’t matter and becoming a genius in those things that do matter. I want to become lazy about things that won’t last and focus on those things with eternal value. It’s there that I will find Life.
What is God speaking to you today in John 6? Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below.
“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’?””
John 6:42 NIV
https://www.bible.com/111/jhn.6.42.niv
There is so much in this chapter…turning a little boys lunch into enough food to feed 5000, Jesus walks on the water, but verse 42 really speaks to me. Jesus was telling the people that He had come from heaven…He was the Son of God! But the people only believed in what they knew…He was only the son of Joseph & Mary. (they weren’t willing or want to really believe)
I feel @ times that I am only Julie Morgan…daughter of Buddy and Gaynell, wife of Larry, how can I do ____?
Jesus did not let their insults dampen His mood or His message. And if I am His child & He lives in me, then why do I listen to all of the lies of the enemy?
You’re not ____! (fill in the blank, because he has told me all the things that I’m not)
-It’s funny, we claim that we can’t hear our Father Talking to us, but we hear the lies that enemy whispers…
God, please forgive me for listening more intently to the whispers of the enemy, than to the Talking/Conversations that You try to have with me. I don’t have wonder if I hear You correctly, because You look straight into my eyes & into my heart telling truths! I know that I am called by You, just give me the confidence I need to do Your work!
Amen
That is so good! Thank you for sharing Julie!
Such a great thought! Why do I listen to the lies instead of waht the Holy Spirit is saying! This is good! Lord, I want to hear you!!!
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.
This scripture is a reminder to live by the Spirit and not by our flesh. Our flesh will lead us astray because our flesh is based upon feelings. Where our Spirit is based upon the Word of God. There have be times that I have wanted to react according to my flesh but the Holy Spirit stopped me. Following after our flesh can hurt others as well as yourself. Following after the Spirit brings healing to others and yourself. I have found that I have to die daily to my Flesh and choose to follow the Holy Spirit’s direction. It is so important that we are daily in our Word! My prayer today, Father help me to continue to die to flesh and live by your Spirit.
Amen. I often give myself a pep talk, “ You are a woman who is filled with the Spirit. You walk in the Spirit. You are led by the Spirit. You respond in the Spirit. Your words and actions are led by the Spirit!” I don’t always get it right,so I’m thankful for His grace! Thank you for this reminder today.
Jesus said, ” I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty again. ” This is for eternity. This is for life eternal. Even though we eat and drink regular food, it will not last. Only Jesus will last forever. Thank you Jesus we have eternal life with you.
Amen.
John 6:53 when Jesus said,”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. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” V.60. On hearing it many of his disciples said, “this is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Jesus went on to say, “does this offend you? And what if you were to see the Son of Man send to where he was before!“…..
I wondered if I had been among them,I too,may have found this a hard saying about eating Jesus flesh and drinking his blood and may not have just accepted it by faith without having to understand .This passage challenges me in my day to day life because I often waste precious time and mental energy trying to understand every detail before I can mentally let go of something and move on to the more important spiritual eternal matters that the Lord is speaking to me.
Lord I surrender my mind and my need to understand in order to believe You are all I need, You are the bread of life, now and forever. Forgive me for giving in to my perfectionistic and detail oriented tendencies, hesitating to move when your Spirit is leading me to do Your more important work of eternal value. Replace my priorities with yours and help me to depend on you, ready and willing to step out even if what you are nudging me to do May seem strange to my mind as when You said that if we don’t eat of your flesh and drink your blood we can have no part of you. I desire to live in childlike faith in You. Help me remember that (John 7:37-38) when I am thirsty You said to come to You and drink, whoever believes in you, streams of living water will flow from within. Help me to be thirsty for You! I praise You and thank You that I have life abundant and eternal in You! May I share Your living water with others.
Amen! That’s good! Thank you for sharing!