December 19 - To Whom Shall We Go?

 Read today’s texts first: John 5,6

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
When the Source of all life is in us,
what else do we really need.

Not only did Jesus confuse His followers with the things He did (some we mentioned yesterday), but what He said was even more confounding. In today’s reading He upset the hometown crowd by describing Himself as spiritual manna, the Bread of Life, sent from heaven to earth by God. The people were shocked – isn’t this Jesus, Joe and Mary’s kid, grew up in the back of their carpentry shop on Main Street. And if that wasn’t enough, after they responded in disbelief,  Jesus basically says “bite me:” if you don’t eat my flesh and drink my blood you have no life (6:53 – my paraphrase).

Much of what He taught the masses, even His disciples, they never fully understood. They tried to interpret everything through the physical, mental or emotional senses, with little comprehension on a spiritual level. They kept hoping Jesus was going to physically deliver them from the nasty Romans. But Jesus showed little interest in their outward oppression. He focused instead on the bondage they were experiencing inside.

He was inviting them and us to be changed from the inside out. When we receive the Bread of Life, every other need is met. When the Source of all life is in us, what else do we really need. That’s what Peter said so well for all of us. When asked by Jesus, you do not want to go away also, do you? (after many of the hangers-on decided to hang it up), Peter responded, Lord, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life! (6:67,68).

“Lord, I’m saying to You what Peter said. I may not understand everything You’ve said in Your written Word or to me personally, but I’m going to trust that You know what You’re talking about. I’m not leaving – I’ve got nowhere else to go!”