|
|
|
|
www.truthworks.com 30 SEP 03 devotion archive send this page to a friend |
|
|
WHAT KIND OF KING? I tell you the Truth, A mother listened with pride, as her
little girl carefully enunciated each word of the Lord’s Prayer.
She did beautifully right up to the end. “And lead us not into
temptation,” she prayed, “but deliver us some e-mail, Amen”.
:-) Most of us know the story of Jesus
feeding the five thousand (men). He feed this multitude with a mere five
loaves of bread and two small fish. Truly this is an astonishing miracle.
However, this story has much more to offer beyond being “amazing.”
Let’s pick up in John after the feast. John 6: Does anyone else find this situation a
bit peculiar? Here, the salvation of man, the Son of God, the King of
Kings decides to withdraw Himself because these people, who He just feed, desire
to make Him king. Why would Christ withdraw from this opportunity?
Is it because the time is not right? Is it because He had more work to
complete before He is crowned king? Is it because of His total
unselfishness? All good scenarios, yet none give us
the exact answer that we seek. To find the deeper purpose in this action,
we must continue to read. John 6: As you read, you begin to see the reason that Jesus had to escape this crowd. It was not because of Himself, but because of this crowd. This crowd saw miraculous signs, yet only could think about one thing – filling their little tummies. The problem with this group is that they were more concerned about God providing for them than they were seeking Him in order to honor and obey Him. They desired the rich blessings of God, yet missed the opportunity to worship Him while He stood before them. Then one of them asks an honest question. 28Then
they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" What can I do to deserve such blessings from above? How can I give thanks and worship my provider? Jesus gives them the simplest, most amazing answer that they might have imagined – believe in Me. Simple and yet profound enough that they still miss it. 30So they
asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and
believe you? What will you do? 31Our forefathers ate the manna in the
desert; as it is written: `He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32Jesus
said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not
Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you
the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he who comes
down from heaven and gives life to the world." These people want a miraculous sign?
Amazing! Jesus had just feed them all the day before. It is apparent
in their questions that they still seek to fill their tummies with more of this
miracle working. I guess the question I ask today is,
“What kind of King do you seek?” Is it the king that provides your
every wish? Is it one that showers you with continuous blessings from
above? Is it simply a king that will fill your every fleshly desire? Jesus used this miracle as an example
for us. The King He desires to be is the one that we worship, honor and
obey no matter what the circumstance, no matter how hungry we are and no matter
what obstacle we might encounter. Do you desire to do the works that God
requires? Then believe in Him who was sent from heaven. And I use
the word “believe” as a verb, not a noun which means that there will be an
action as evidence of the faith. God is faithful to those who truly love
Him. He will provide, but we worship
Him not because of what He can do for us. We
worship Him because He is God, He is salvation.
It’s never a case of bartering with God.
Either we worship and obey or we live in disobedience. I encourage you to do the works that
God requires today. Don’t allow your circumstance to diminish the
opportunity to worship God today.
Your Servant,
<*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< Prayer Requests (and Praises!) “ Please reply if you have prayer requests, comments or simply need an open ear. I always enjoy hearing from you. <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< Copyright © 2003 Truth Works Publishing. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise specified, all scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE,
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV.
|
Get your own Truth Works Devotions by email!
Check out the freshest discount
releases from: Prayer
List
Other
Truth WorksTM
Sites
Truth WorksTM
Partner Sites Get HELP NOW! SUPPORT TRUTH WORKS
TRUTH WORKS DEVOTIONS
TRUTH WORKS PUBLISHING
|
bravenet.com
