A hard teaching

On hearing this, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”                                                                                                                                                John 6.60

It seems that Jesus’ teaching of Him being the bread of life and, in order to obtain this life, His followers needed to eat His flesh and drink His blood, was too difficult for many to receive and accept. And so they departed!

From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him (v66).

Maybe they took His teaching literally. I have previously seen unpleasant connotation of cannibalism in this preceding passage, but this is not what it is about. With the benefit of knowing subsequent events, and with some deeper insight, we can see Jesus point to the crucifixion where His flesh and blood was given up in a supreme sacrifice. As we, in faith, accept Him as God’s appointed sacrifice and as we receive Him as Saviour and Lord, so we are, effectively, eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of Man. Thus, it is possible for me to receive and accept this teaching.

But what of other teachings? There may indeed be some teachings of Jesus that I find difficult to accept. Are the words, recorded by John, of many of his disciples, to be taken as “If the teaching is too hard, we are not to accept it?” Certainly not!

I see what I have already described in respect to the flesh and blood teaching as a most helpful pointer to other teachings that I might have difficulty with. I do not reject such teachings but, rather, seek to find God’s true meaning and message for me. Obviously, the best way to do this is to sit quietly with the passage and ask God for further enlightenment. As I reflect on what I see written, I may be led to deeper meaning, to another layer below the surface text. The context may be supplemented or complimented by other parts of the Scriptures, or by God’s further personal revelation.

It is also possible, even if further insight is given to me, that the teaching remains in some form of tension for me.

Some of God’s teaching may well be hard for me to accept, perhaps too difficult for me to understand. But this gives me no licence to reject it, or Him. The man who brought his sick son to Jesus said, “I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.”  (Mark 9.24). Likewise, when faced with a difficult teaching, I might say, “Lord, I do understand; help me overcome my lack of understanding.”

Lord God,

I thank You, firstly, for the very many Scriptures and teachings that I understand – or, at least, think I understand.

Any Scriptures that confuse I bring to You with a request for deeper insight. I believe where You wish me to receive clearer understanding You will bring this to pass. If things should remain in tension help me to receive this, though if Your will is that I look further or search deeper, then I pray that I will know this by an inner sense of unresolvedness. In everything, I submit to You. Whether I understand or not, I want to trust You. You are my Saviour and Lord. You are my everything. I ask for Your protection. May I never be tempted to let go of You.

Teach me Your ways that I may ever walk with You. Give me a thirst to know more of You. Take me deeper in You.

You have said You will never leave me nor forsake me. My deepest wish is to remain with You in humblest obedience.

I give myself today in renewed commitment to You. I look forward to Your teaching and the uncovering of greater truths in You.

Lead me further into Your ways. Guide me each step of the way. May I truly follow Jesus in my continuing journey through life.

I ask this in the loving and precious name of my Lord Jesus.                Amen.

My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.

A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").

Treasure

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”                               Matt. 6.21

 I identify with the treasures of heaven. These mean so much more to me than treasures of the earth. I appreciate the degree of comfort and security that God has given me in this earthly life, but I see Him clearly as the provider. He has given me all I need.

I so love God. He comes before everything else. I reflect upon the various places I have been and the adventures I’ve experienced. He has led me, and He has walked beside me, sharing all with me. Life is filled with precious moments. At certain times the intensity of God’s love and blessing is greater, His presence seems closer, the intimacy deeper. For me, these times give me a touch and a taste of heaven. God willing, one day this will be fully available to me, and it will go on without end.

I gladly store up treasures in heaven. My “treasure” is truly not in this earth or of this earth. I look up – physically, metaphorically and spiritually, and my eyes light up, for I see the treasure that awaits me.

I know where my treasure is, and my heart responds. My heart leaps within me in joyous anticipation when I consider the treasure above. God is my treasure. And God is in my heart. I feel Him, He is part of me, and I am part of Him. How wonderful is this? How glorious it is to sit here in the tranquility of my private place, and feel Him, know Him, and silently commune with Him. What blessing, what love!

Dear God,

Yes, dear, dear Lord and God. You are here. The treasure of You fills me and consumes me. I open myself to the enormity and the fullness of You. Come in, Lord. My heart is Yours. May I touch Your heart with mine. May You touch my heart with Yours. Let me feel Your heartbeat. Let me live in it, please.              Amen.

Given

“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away."                                                                                                                               John 6.37

Here, I see the faithfulness of the Father reflected in the Son. The Triune God is unity and whatever characteristic is found in one, is found in all three.

The first phrase of this verse assures me of God’s sovereign work in salvation. It is the Father who ‘gives’ us to Jesus and, in so doing, He ‘gives’ Jesus to us. Jesus endorses this a few verses later when He says, “No one comes to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (v 44) I am so glad that the Father took hold of me, drew me to Him, and gave me to Jesus.

And as I come to Jesus, I have the assurance and comfort that He will never drive me away. He is there for me at all times. My desire is to be always with Him. I realize that He does not move away. I pray that I may never turn from Him. I may be tempted. Indeed, I may be sorely tempted. Yet if I call on Jesus I know He will help me.

The grace of the Father is ably and aptly demonstrated by the Son. And I know, beyond any shadow of doubt, that His grace truly, most definitely, is sufficient for me.

Holy Lord,

I thank You again for this further reminder of Your faithfulness. You are ever there. May this truth be deeply planted within me and may I ever live in it.

You have drawn me to You. Hallelujah! You have given me to Jesus. Hallelujah!

All that I need I will find in You, and You will never drive me away.

I come to You in deep desire and sweet love. I give myself to You. I look to this day’s journey with You. Lead me where You will.

I open myself to receive all that You have for me today. Take me, and have Your way in me, in Jesus’ name I ask.                        Amen.

My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.

A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").

Unafraid

But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.    

                                                                                                                        John 6.20, 21

The disciples were in the middle of the lake and experiencing a severe storm when they saw Jesus walking toward them on the water. They did not recognise Him and this terrified them. But then He identified Himself and they were relieved and grateful. They took Him into the boat and we read that, immediately, the boat reached the shore where they were heading. It would seem that they experienced a miraculous happening. From being three and one half miles out they were suddenly at the shore.

There are lessons in this story to be learned by believers in all ages. We may find ourselves in the midst of the most terrible and frightening experience when Jesus will suddenly appear. We may not recognise Him, and this could cause even greater fear in us. He may quite possibly identify Himself and assure us, “It is I; don’t be afraid. I am with you. I will see you through this difficult time”

As we receive Him and allow Him to take control, we may be assured that our difficulties will be overcome and we will safely reach the home shore.

For the disciples this seemed to be instantaneous. It might even be so, miraculously, for us. Whatever is God’s will, will happen, as we allow Him.

Dear Lord Jesus,

I marvel that You want to journey with me. I thank You for this and for the comfort and assurance this brings. I will fear no evil, for You are with me.

I so want to walk fully with You, yet I struggle with those undesirable elements of the world that afflict me, and even reside within me. Help me, gracious Lord! Let me know that You’re right with me, directing me and guiding me into the fullness of Your way. Lead me on, in Your precious name I ask.                Amen.