GEMS FROM THE GOSPELS John 5 & 6 #52days

GEMS FROM THE GOSPELS

John 5 & 6

John 5 & 6 – A man laid by the pool of Bethesda who had been crippled for thirty-eight years. He was hoping to get into the pool when the water stirred because it was believed the first one in would be healed. Instead he was healed by TRUSTING IN THE TEACHER. Then he got rebuked for carrying his mat on the Sabbath!  He told the religious leaders that the man who healed him told him to carry his mat. Jesus said that He was working as His father was working, clearly claiming equality with God. Jesus pointed out that John the Baptist, Scriptures, and the miracles He performed all testified to His deity. He also told the religious leaders that if they believed Moses, they would believe Him because Moses wrote about Him (Gen. 49:10, Num. 24:17, Deut. 18:15-18). The Jewish religious leaders failed to TRUST THE TEACHER. Jesus fed 5000 men plus women and children with only five loaves and two fish. Afterward, He had the apostles pick up the leftovers. Traditional Jewish law says not to destroy food. The people said Jesus must be The Prophet (Deut. 18:15). He went back to the hills by Himself before they could crown Him king. The disciples went ahead in a boat while Jesus went to pray. A great storm arose, and they were afraid. Suddenly they saw Jesus walking to them on top of the water! Jesus got into the boat and instantly they were at their destination. What a joy ride! We can TRUST THE TEACHER to calm the storm. The crowd caught up with Him on the other side of the lake. Jesus told them they only came because of the food He provided, but they needed Him to feed their spirits rather than their stomachs. He told them the work of God is to TRUST THE TEACHER. The crowd demanded a sign in order to believe Him and talked about Moses providing manna in the wilderness. Jesus pointed out that God provided the manna, but the true bread is the One who comes down from Heaven to give life to the world. Then Jesus made one of the famous “I AM” statements, saying, “I AM the Bread which is life.” All who trust in Him will be raised. TRUST THE TEACHER to have eternal life. Jesus said He was the living bread, and whoever eats of that bread lives forever. As they were wondering how they could eat His flesh, he told them, “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you do not have life. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I in Him.” Many of His followers had a difficult time with this and turned back. He explained that no one could come to Him unless the Father has made possible for him. He turned to the Twelve and asked if they wanted to leave as well. Simon Peter spoke for the group, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the word of eternal life. We TRUSTED, and we know that you are the Holy One of God.” Then Jesus pointed out that even though he had hand picked the Twelve one of them was an adversary, meaning Judas Iscariot who would betray Him. TRUST THE TEACHER even when you do not fully understand.