Day 52 of 365
GOD PROVIDES
With the Passover and mighty works of God at the forefront of their minds, Moses led the nation of Israel across a body of water into the wilderness and up to a mountain. Along the way, the massive, hungry gaggle of people had to trust God for the provision of bread from heaven as they divided into their allotted encampments each night, trusting that they could skip collecting bread on the Sabbath and survive the harsh desert conditions.
In John's Gospel, Jesus engaged the people in a similar drama. As the Passover season was immediately at hand and because of the mighty works of God done by Jesus, a large crowd of people followed him across a body of water and up to a mountain in the wilderness (Jn 6:1 - 4). Jesus then proceeded to sustain them with bread and meat in the wilderness (Jn 6:5 - 13).
Ultimately, Jesus offered the people the opportunity to participate in a second exodus - a spiritual exodus. In this exodus, he wanted them to do more than eat the physical bread which would sustain them for a day, but to trust in him so that they might eat and live forever (Jn 6:47 - 51).
Jesus, place in me a holy desire for the bread that satisfies, the bread of life. I want to desire your love every second of every day. Please fill me to overflowing. Amen.
Exodus 16:4-5 NASB
4 Then the L ord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily."
John 6:5-13 NASB
5 Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?" 6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. 7 Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little." 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, 9 "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?" 10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. 12 When they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost." 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
John 6:47-51 NASB
47 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh."
|
No comments:
Post a Comment