Actively seeking out Jesus.
6/4/2012 12:59:19 AM
June 3, 2012~John #30 in series


 

Actively seeking out Jesus.  John 6.1-13

Picture it with me—Jesus needs to pull away from the crowds . . . to pray, to be alone with the disciples a while . . . The decision is made to board a boat and cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.  Now the distance across is just about four miles, so folks see where the boat is heading, and make plans to follow him around there.  The shortest distance around this lake by land is probably about nine miles—no matter, Jesus is worth the walk!  The people want to be near Jesus; they want to see what he is doing, hear his teaching, and not miss out, should a blessing or healing occur. 

Take a look at how they pursue Jesus:

“After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him.”

Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.

Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”

Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”

“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves”  John 6.1-13

Permit me to delay discussing how Jesus ‘made do’ with a young boy’s lunch to feed the crowd, if you will … I am struck by the urgency with which the people went after Jesus.  I should like to buy some of that urgency, please.  In what retail establishment might I find an aerosol can of “Passion for Jesus” to spray on my high school students, corporate brothers, and Bible study women?  If I go to the Apple store, will someone direct me to an app that will spread zeal for Jesus Christ via the internet, across the land, and over the oceans, so that people will stop what they are dilly-dallying with, and seek out Jesus—with the urgency of those folks who walked nine-plus miles just to be near him? 

Reminds me too of Blackaby’s suggestion for knowing and getting in the will of God.  Look to see where Jesus is at work around you, and join him there. 

Look.  Look for Jesus today.  Actively seek him out—he is still doing miracles today, Friends!  Turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Get passionate about the things of God . . . what he is doing, what he would like to do around you, and yes, through you—a surrendered follower of Jesus Christ. 

Seek him with your whole heart,

Christine