Be Careful of the Crowd Noise

There is always something exciting about a crowd.  You know that something is happening even if you do not know what it is. Everyone is there for the experience, but not everyone has the correct understanding or the precise meaning of why each individual has gathered. Sometimes a crowd can hide the true meaning of a gathering in order to focus on some other alternative objective. For example, I love to go to sporting events on occasion and my wife likes to go sparingly. When we get to the game, I am examining all of the details of the plays and players as they take the field and strategize on how to overcome an opponent: this is the main purpose for the sporting event.  My wife, on the other hand, finds people-watching and the scenery of these events as more entertaining rather than what’s happening on the field, although she is aware of the scoring and cheering that follows. So, we are at the same event but are seeing very different perspectives on what is most meaningful. 

The crowd at the scene of Jesus’ miraculous feeding of thousands does not seem to be on the same page with the importance and purpose of the gathering or mind-boggling miracle that has just taken place. So, they follow Jesus with more concern about what they get out of the gathering (“Let’s make Him our King!”) as a whole rather than why Jesus performed such a miracle in the first place. The crowd’s prowess in following the steps of Jesus for their own individual goals appears to lack awareness of the action and teaching of Jesus. They are to understand and know who God is and believe in the One whom God has sent to them.  In this case, Jesus calls for a break from the crowd and asks his disciples to follow Him in belief. The Son of God was sent from above to provide that which sustains the individual for eternity, not just that which serves a temporary but real pleasure. 

People want what they want. God never seems like enough to those walking in darkness. Jesus’ followers are standing on shaky ground with half-hearted faith. We must lay down personal agendas in the wake of trusting in the work of God through Jesus Christ.

In all your getting, realize that understanding has more significance than placing your belief in material satisfaction and personal greed. We are called to have a personal relationship with the Lord. We must learn to trust and to know Jesus. We ought to be caught up in who He is and desire spiritual matters that are important to our understanding and walk with Him. Don’t allow the crowd’s noise to distract from accomplishing the will of God through you in Christ Jesus.

A Faith that Walks on Water

In the midst of seeing God work in powerful ways, we must be careful not to fall in love with what appears to be a successful ministry. I am not asking that individuals in the church become cynical and perhaps even reject the miraculous. What I am suggesting is that we measure our own faith in light of the miraculous; that we trust the Lord in every way in our lives, even when the stage is not so large, where others can see the same things that we see. While it seems that Phillip was pessimistic about the ability of Jesus to feed the crowd and Andrew was optimistic, per say, they both had their own level of doubt about Jesus after the many miracles He had already put on display.

Jesus pulls away from the crowd after working for the Father in feeding the multitude. He goes to be alone with the Father, a communion that repeatedly occurs during His ministry and is noticed by His disciples. In John 6:16-61, another test of their faith has been set. The followers of Jesus need to see the fullness of the Son of God and believe in His power to meet not only the needs of others, but to also be with them in their time of need. Their faith must be increased so that they too can do the will of God in the midst of great uncertainty.

Can you imagine what kind of spiritual glow was present after Jesus fed ten thousand people with two sardines and five breadsticks?  There they stood with 12 baskets of fragments, leftovers that would carry them forward in their journey and mission. No need to go to the market tomorrow! Gathered together, they perhaps had thoughts run over and over in their minds. “Did that really happen?” “Unbelievable! This is beyond all that we could have imagined.” “I’ll never doubt Jesus again after this!”

But we must take care not to get too confident about how much we trust in Jesus. Because just when we think we have faith that can conquer mountains, we too might be drowned by the shifting of waves. One by land and two by sea. The tests of the disciples’ faith are presented.  The first test on the mountain has shown that the coming of the Son to do the work of God found a tepid faith.  The second, in the sea, challenges their faith, revealing the Son of God as the One in control of His creation.  The success that Jesus is looking for brings the crowd to understand and know God through Him and His work in this world.  Oh, Lord! Increase our faith!

So, Now What?

The issue of addressing injustices will always be on the human agenda. This is because of the imperfections of individuals within community and society as a whole. This does not negate the fact that God cares for the widow, orphan, and oppressed. Every decent or moral-leaning society should address as best as possible these problems and others. But the limitations of the secular move to address these matters are far more impotent than the ability of the people of God to do so. These matters will not be conquered by celebrity or cash. And although Christian and civil disobedience have made critical impact in the life of our own nation, the goal and glory of God is that people are changed from the inside out in order to worship Him. 

If we are His children and representatives on this planet, then we must abide by His instructions regarding varying injustices and their potential remedy. Part of the problem with this is that the people of God often prefer to just do ‘something’ rather than not anything. And when doing just ‘something’ rather than not anything produces close to nothing, we pat ourselves on the back and keep doing ‘something’ rather than what God prescribes as the answer. So, while we gear up for protests, marches, writing letters of our stated positions, and holding councils and panel discussions to attempt to bring unity out of divisiveness, let us take seriously our newest efforts to address injustices. We have done all these things, and I am sure that we can find some good as a result. But, let me ask the question, “Aren’t you tired of seeing the same thing with the same results and with little progress in the human condition?” We can almost guess what the next steps will be for secular action and unfortunately, it is similar to what the Christian community will prop up as an answer as well.

Please let me suggest what we all in Christian community could state as the answer, but often leave the response wanting because of the cost and time it will demand: building relationships in community through biblical discipleship. The injustice concerning race in our nation demands that the church commit to the task and stop giving it lip service. Ethnic relations would find bridges of unity through authentic life-on-life sustained communications. The truth of only one race would be realized if churches would not settle for the diverse look on Sunday which appears that there is ethnic unity although we never see one another outside of a church scheduled event. For example, “Do you know the extended families of other ethnicities in your church?” Discipleship goes further than that. Our whole lives must be open to one another. I have to end here, but let’s realize that Jesus’ answer to unite humanity under the love of God still stands, “Make disciples of all people groups, ethnicities!” You know the text (Matthew 28:18-20). Are you living out its truth?  Have you ever lived out its truth outside your own affinity group? Can someone model your life in obedience to this open life demand? Racial reconciliation is a by-product of this kind of life. The answer may lie in the simple obedience to this answer that has been there all along.

The Testimony Is Veiled to the Unbelieving

As a result of the Jews questioning Jesus’ source and authority to do the things that He did, Jesus unveiled His relationship with the Father and the works that He was doing..  It appears that they had no problem with a supposed anonymous healing of the lame man, according to some superstition.  This is not questioned. What is questioned is who told this man to take up his pallet and walk on the Sabbath.  No punishment for the lame man. They just wanted him to expose the one who gave him the instructions.  Where is their commitment to the Law? Or could it be that they are more concerned about their power or authority being challenged above the offense of the lame man?

We must remember that Jesus came to dispel the darkness as the light of the world. Thus, we must conclude that in both religion and relationship, Jesus reveals the Father’s love and purpose through His life and works. Consequently, the truth about His mission and His relationship with the Father is made known. True religion finds its basis in the work of Jesus Christ, and a relationship with the Father is only through Jesus revealing Him.

In our passage of John 5:33-40, Jesus communicates the multiple witnesses to the revelation of His works and words to the Jews, an unbelieving group whose intentions are to kill Him. If only they would listen and understand the One before them, their mission would be challenged at its core. After all, Jesus is equal to God. He is God in the flesh, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (1:14)

Beloved, even those who reject Jesus are offered an opportunity to hear from Him. It may be a foregone conclusion that they will reject Him, but Jesus’ task of being light and life for men is now. His function as Judge, as we have already seen, will come in the future. Right now, He is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (1:29) The witness deck is loaded and the first to stand for Jesus is John. Then follows the works that Jesus does, the Father Himself, and the very Scripture that these men hold dear to themselves. All of these come alongside Jesus in confirmation of His identity. This is what must be believed. Otherwise, any religion short of this understanding falls short of knowing God. Call witnesses to the stand!

An Uncommon Vessel to Reach Beyond Ethnicity

Jesus came into the world to reach humanity.  He is not partial in that manner, although His task and order is fulfilled within the will of God.  In Jerusalem, Jesus reaches out to Nicodemus, who literally and spiritually stands in darkness.  Jesus moves the conversation from religious measure to what must be done from above for one to have eternal life. 

In John 4:1-9, Jesus travels to Samaria where darkness also grips humanity. This time the impartiality of His mission includes not only male subjects, but a woman and one of a different ethnicity.  ‘God so loved the world’ means exactly that!  What an example for the disciples to see as they too were captured by their own customs that would have prevented such an encounter. 

Let us too see people that need Jesus not by their failed religion, not by their personal status, gender nor ethnicity.  It is the whole world that needs Jesus. Step into the opportunity to show people the love of God without partiality, and the grace that leads to salvation.

The Temple at Passover

The Father’s House is not supposed to be a place of secular business (John 1:13-22).  Oh, how this imperative of Jesus Himself often goes ignored for the good place of marketing and reaching people for the gospel today.  The place of worship should not find competition and distraction from the wares of any business, even religious.  Jesus steps in and steps up against such things emphatically. No sales here! Go away from this place.  No business as usual here, only what My Father has required here is acceptable, spiritual service and worship.

Happy Thanksgiving to the Fellowship and Friends

Thanksgiving, a time for family gathering, a great meal, and fellowship that ties us together. This fellowship invites those we celebrate with to experience unity and commonality. I am thankful for this national pause to remember our need to reflect on and appreciate this important aspect of life.  Remember to pray today and ask God for things that matter most in the life of your family, with THANKSGIVING! We unite today to give thanks to God and to make our most meaningful requests to Him. Philippians 4:6 states, “...in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I am praying for God’s best in your family and in your lives.