We are continuing with our series this Sunday entitled “I'm a Believer” from the book of John. Are you a believer in Jesus Christ? Last week we examined the miracle that Jesus did at the pool called Bethesda. Jesus healed a man there who had been lame for 38 years. This miracle pointed to Jesus as the Son of God, but the Pharisees’ reaction was fuelled by an unbelieving heart.
This Sunday we move on to John ch. 6 which is about another great miracle, because 5000 people were touched by one miracle at one time. It is the feeding of 5000 with 5 small loaves and two fish, a lunch that was brought by a boy on that day.
Would they believe in Jesus? Would they put their faith and trust in Him? Well, the answer to that is complex because their reaction is somewhat varied; for some it caused them to believe for all the wrong reasons. Some did believe, and wanted to make Jesus, king! Others believed as well, because they wanted more free lunches.
John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.
This sets off a whole conversation between Jesus and the people about their need for “bread” and His desire for them to see Him as the Bread of Life. So, He said to them “I'm the Bread that's come down from heaven.” I was given to you to eat so that you can enjoy life eternal. By now the people are getting really confused. Are we supposed to eat this man's flesh?
John 6:53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.
And now they're not only confused, they're offended because it all sounds like nonsense. What is He talking about? Cannibalism? What kind of strange doctrine is this? And so, they must make a decision as to whether they would be followers of Christ and believe, or just be “followers from a distance.” And sadly, many turned away that day and would follow no more. Jesus ends the chapter by posing the question to His twelve disciples, a question that comes to us today, “Do you also want to go away?”
Join us in person on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or via livestream by going to https://www.firstbaptistsudbury.com and clicking on livestream for “Following…at a distance”
Blessings,
Kevin