IN PURSUIT OF JESUS

Question: What makes us want to "PURSUE" something?

Examples:

• An education, a career, a sport, a hobby, sewing, fishing.

• How about a person? A boyfriend, girlfriend, business partner, sports figure, president.

• Open discussion.

• We are going to look at the interest shown, by the people in this passage, toward Jesus. What drew them to him?

John 6:19-29 NIV

[19] When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. [20] But he said to them, “It is I; don't be afraid.” [21] Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

• Another storm while in a boat.

• Because of the storm, they are making very slow and very labored progress. ( they're exhausted and tired).

• These are Jesus' disciples.

• They were doing as Jesus instructed.

• They saw Jesus / someone, but didn't know it was him.

• Jesus had been watching them the whole time.

• Jesus calmed their fears.

• Jesus approached the boat and after calming them down, they took him into the boat.

Note: Jesus is aware of us 24/7/365. He knows everything that is going on in our life. His plans are not altered or changed by circumstances. WE ARE!!! But as he said; "In this world you WILL have trouble, but never fear, I have overcome the world".

John 6:59 NIV

59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

This information could / should have been inserted after the boat had arrived in Capernaum and the people followed Jesus to the synagogue.

• The crowd back where the disciples had taken the boat from, knew Jesus had not gone with them. So, the search begins. When they finally find him, in Capernaum, the first thing they asked was; when did you get here? Maybe should have been; how did you get here?

• This is what gave Jesus the opportunity to tell his message.

• They remembered how he miraculously fed 10 to 15 thousand people.

• He tells them the TRUTH about salvation.

• But, they turned it into a WORKS salvation.

• His answer; BELIEVE!!! Works won't cut it!!!

John 6:29 NIV

[29] Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent .”

John 6:30 - 40

The next response from the people goes right back to needing even more proof.

• Jesus recognizing their unbelief and doubt.

• They admitted that God provided the bread / mana in the wilderness.

• Jesus reminds them of this fact and sets them in their place by saying it wasn't provided by Moses, but God.

• This brings us to the whole purpose of this situation.

• Jesus now describes and explains the salvation which God supplies through him (Jesus) and Jesus alone.

• Then the discussion turns to a major lack of understanding about Jesus' death and resurrection.

• But, how could they know? He had not yet been thru it.

• So, he describes something they are familiar with.

• In a word; Sustanance.

• We survive by the food we eat and the fluids we drink. They for sure, can connect with this line of logic.

• And, they for sure, can relate the need for flesh to be broken and blood to be shed when considering the "sacrifices" made daily by the priests.

• But, we see that this spiritual comparison is going right over their heads.

John 6:60-66

[61] Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? [62] Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! [63] The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you---they are full of the Spirit and life. [64] Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”

• This is where the "rubber meets the road".

• Many of those that had begun to follow Jesus, walked away.

• But, when asked, the 12 chosen disciples chose to stick it out.

• They knew the TRUTH!

• But even knowing the truth wasn't enough for all 12.

Read: Verses 68 thru 71.

Points of reflection

1. Why do we pursue Jesus?

2. Where do we get the strength and understanding necessary to continue our journey?

3. Especially when others drop out or just don't / won't believe.

2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

[3] His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. [4] Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

4. Read, study, consume, and memorize GODS WORD.