#JESUS2019 - Daily DevotionalsSample

The day before this event, Jesus had performed an absolutely amazing miracle with five loaves and two fishes (see John 6:1-13). The people were beside themselves with enthusiasm and wanted to make Jesus their king. On the following day, the people came together again and they looked for Jesus, but could not find him, because at night he had crossed to the other side of the lake… by walking over the water. However, the people missed out on witnessing this miracle, even though they were so keen on seeing another one. 

Jesus knows that they desire to be astounded, and he tries to make it clear that the miracles from the day before only tickled them on the surface of their souls. But they missed the real miracle: the real miracle was not the delicious barley bread that filled them for a certain time only, but the divine bread that truly satisfies forever, and even gives eternal life.

Jesus astonished the people with the answer to the question of how to receive this bread. It is not the right magic spell, a ritual, or a certain attitude that convinces God. Jesus says that it is enough just to believe in God.

This sounds too easy to me. Only faith… Well, that’s what I do. But do I really?

Do I believe that Jesus came to the earth for me?

That he died for me, even though I don’t deserve it?

That God wants me to be inwardly satisfied?

That God wants me to live life to the full?

If I fully realized that, I would already be truly satisfied. I would no longer have to compete for my slice of the pie. I would no longer have to vie for the respect of other people. I would know I have all the acceptance I need.

And right then I notice that a path lies before me, and that I, too, often look at the here and now and do not grasp the miracle’s deeper dimension. How can I start believing again, especially if I have not always experienced God’s healing or provision?

ACTION STEP:

Speak with God about the situation in which you have not experienced him and ask him if he was there. In prayer exchange your disappointment for new trust and ask Jesus to work through these wounds and fears.

Andreas Hörner – ICF Grünheide