YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT

FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND

 

 Read John 6:1-13; Mark 6:30-44

 

      He (Jesus) said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. John 6:5b-6 NIV

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      Nothing that Jesus did while on earth was just happenstance. Jesus said to the twelve, "You give them something to eat." (Mark 6:37) When everyone was fed, they were able to gather up enough for a basketful each for themselves. They served the bread, but it cost them nothing, and they had their own needs supplied. This is significant in light of Philip's protest; "eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" (John 6:7)

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      Lord, more often than not, I sound just like Philip. I see only the practical facts, and the impossibility of the situation. Help us to trust You for our daily bread, and for all other needs we may have. You Lord, are the Bread of Life and You know our requests even before we ask; but You did tell us to ask. I am asking You this morning, to provide for our financial and spiritual needs.

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      After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.    John 6:14-15 NIV

COMPASSION IN TIME OF SORROW

JOHN THE BAPTIST MARTYRED

Read Matthew 14:1–14

     The king…ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. Matthew 14:9-10, 12 NIV

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     Jesus had just been given the news about the beheading of John the Baptist, the prophet God had sent to announce His coming. John's dramatic message of repentance to the adulterous King Herod ended with his death. His brief but powerful ministry, in accordance with God's sovereign will, had come to an end.

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     Jesus, though He was God's Son, was still subject to the emotions and sorrows of a man. His response was to withdraw to a solitary place to be alone, but the crowds followed Him. Instead of insisting on time to Himself, He had compassion on the people and ministered to their needs.

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     Lord, sometimes I feel irritated at the pressing demands on my time. Help me to be filled with the fruit of Your Spirit, especially patience, love and concern for the needs of my family. Help me to notice when others need a listening ear.

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     When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:13-14 NIV

THE TRINITY

EQUAL WITH GOD

Read John 5:1–23

     Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.    John 5:18 NKJV

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     This passage in John is one of the strongest proofs that Jesus claimed to be one with the Father. The reason they wanted to kill Him was that He claimed equality with God. He not only said He was able to give life — He demonstrated it by raising people from the dead, and eventually rising from the dead Himself.

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     Men and women come to our doors today claiming that they believe in Jesus, but not in the Trinity. They cannot honestly believe in the Jesus of the Bible, without making Him a liar, because He claimed deity for Himself. He was more than a good teacher - He was and is God.

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     Lord, help me to give a confident and kind answer to those who come to my door with false teaching about Jesus. Perhaps some day one of them will be searching for the real Jesus.

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     For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it . . . that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.    John 5:21, 23 NIV

COULD THIS BE THE CHRIST?

 

THE SAMARITAN WOMAN

Read: John 4:1–42

      And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all that I ever did." John 4:39 NKJV

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      This story is one of the most beloved illustrations of grace in the New Testament. The setting was in Samaria where the religion was a mixture of idolatry with a smattering of Jewish influence. The Samaritan woman knew about a promised Messiah, but she lived a sinful life and Jesus kindly confronted her with her sin.
      In a conversation about "living water" she came to realize that this was the Messiah she had heard about. She said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he." (4:25-26)

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      Sometimes we think that people mixed up in cultish religions are unreachable with the gospel. In fact, they may be searching for the truth just as the woman at the well. She …went back to the town and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" (4:28-29 NIV)

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      Lord, help me to share my faith with people regardless of how impossible it seems, trusting in the work of Your Spirit in their hearts.

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      Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world." John 4:42 NKJV