Dublin, OH
Scripture Reflection by Sang Sur on John 6:2,10,26-27,60-61,66 posted January 29, 2010 - Prayer Tents
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Jesus is not after the crowd, but the few.
If Jesus was leading a church as a pastor, there would not be a lot of people—because only a few people would remain. I bet He would attract the crowds, but only some would be faithful.
Some people come to church for personal reasons such as for personal spirituality, as a duty, to make business connections, and to be amongst friends. Yet, as Jesus did, the church (that's us!) ought to reach people meeting their personal needs. Jesus demonstrated this as He healed sicknesses, dealt with problems people had, and even feeding the 5000 men that followed him. However, that was not the end-goal for Jesus.
He first reached for them so that they may reach for God back. You see, Jesus could have built a bigger crowd—heck, he could've even been king (see verse 15); but that's not what He wanted—He did not want a crowd, He wanted the few.
When the crowd gathered, Jesus gave a message that challenged all those people who followed him (see verses 25-59). He said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty” (v. 35). People had hard time accepting Jesus as the way to God. No, their hearts were not after God, but instead, they wanted Jesus to deal with more of their problems, feed their hunger, and see more signs that can benefit THEM. They did not care about a relationship with nor even knowing God. They were focused on their own needs and desires.
Jesus basically said, that's not the reason for which I came. I want you to know God—and you can do that only by accepting me, the Bread of Life. He is the food that never spoils, the One who can provide for all our needs.
This required faith, and it was not a straight up logic that people could accept. How could believing and trusting in someone take care of all of my problems and pains? People then were smart just like us. They could tell this was not a logical process.
Then many walked away. They wanted more proof of how God can benefit their lives, and Jesus wasn't giving any. You see, Jesus was never after the crowd. He was never after complacent people who may join bigger churches because they can just go in and come out. Jesus was after the few that would believe in Him and would form a relationship with God.
Are you one of the crowd? The other kind of crowd is also evident, people who are constantly seeking for proof of His existence, even though God has touched and revealed Himself to them, then saying God is not real—then walking away. For those of you that are seeking right now, I encourage you to ask God to reveal Himself to you and when you receive the response, stop challenging God for more proof or benefit in your life; instead, now, you should believe and follow.
Are you the crowd, or the few?
Applications:
1. How does Jesus relate to your everyday life?
2. When you study your patterns of prayers, do you tend to just ask for “your” requests? Do you find your attitude to be similar to that of the crowd that Jesus dismissed?
3. If you are a church leader, do you find yourself constantly trying to please the crowd? or are you truly giving the message from Scriptures? Are you challenging, and even offending some of the members?
4. I know many of us are intellectuals… yes, in the US, many of us had education and logic is highly favored. Yet, faith is not something that can be proved by science or fact (see Hebrews 11:1). Do you believe in God who cannot be proven? Do you believe in Jesus even through the hard times when it feels like the desert? Do you believe in the heavenly Father even though life at home (with family) hurts you? (see v. 26-27)
Be the Few.
2And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 10Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 26Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 60When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 66After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
Friday, January 29, 2010
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