Monday, March 23, 2009

Lenten Devotional 3-23-09 - Monday

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

Monday, March 23rd
John 6:1-15

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.* A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, 'Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?' He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, 'Six months' wages* would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.' One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 'There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?' Jesus said, 'Make the people sit down.' Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they* sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, 'Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.' So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, 'This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.'

When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Jesus had their attention! He healed the sick. He fed five thousand people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. He performed wonders unlike any other "prophet" before him. Jesus was a charismatic, crowd pleaser. He was the kind of guy who made headlines. But Jesus knew that that kind of fame is short lived and that people are fickle. He knew his kingdom was not in the miracles, signs and wonders.

The real "Wow" is not in the miraculous healings, but in the simple teachings of Jesus. We receive an eternal treasure when we live the values he taught us. We present an eternal treasure to the world when we give the love of Christ.

Lord, you perform miracles in our lives daily. We thank you, but we desire a relationship with you not rooted in the last miracle or feel-good experience. Please keep us grounded in your love and wisdom. Help us to recognize your abiding love, even during the quiet moments and the darkest trials of our lives. vj

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