Comforts from the Cross - Day 30

Sit Down and Believe

We are treated as imposters, and yet are true; as unknown and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. -1 Corinthians 6:8-10

Before, I tell you about today, you need to start with this story in John 6. This is a familiar story recorded in all four gospels when Jesus feeds the multitude. Two really interesting things stand out - Jesus asked Philip where to buy bread? I'm sure Jesus knew exactly what He was going to do, but gave a little test to His disciple. Second, Andrew offered Jesus the loaves and two fishes from the little boy and then said, "what are they with so many?" After taking the loaves and fish, Jesus says something so simple, "Have the people sit down." You have read and know the story. Thousands of people were fed that day and twelve baskets were left over.

In some ways our situation is no different than the people that were following Jesus that day. Some want Jesus in hopes that He will bring healing or meet a need. Others desire Jesus because someone told Him the amazing things that He does, but when we look closely, we see we are all the same. We all have nothing. "We have no innate goodness, no righteousness, no wisdom, no strength, no miraculous power to enable us to work hard enough to meet the overwhelming needs of our souls. We are starving for true righteousness, hungering to be able to meet God's standards, languishing as we try to satisfy the ever-growing needs of those around us." Jesus bids the same for us, "Sit Down."

Later on in John 6, Jesus would share these words with those who were hungry. "Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."  (John 6:26-35 ESV)

Paul testified in 2 Corinthians 6, that we have nothing, yet possess everything. Remember what you bring to the table - absolutely nothing; no good works, no righteousness. Rest in the promises of God's Word. As a believer, God loved you in your sin and made a way for your redemption, your sin debt has been canceled, you have been given the righteousness of Christ, you have been adopted into the family of God, you are promised a home in Heaven, and the list goes on and on. "When Jesus serves you expect to be overwhelmed."

Today, I rejoice that the Savior satisfies. He is more than enough. "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." (John 6:35) Sit down; eat, drink, believe.