It amazes me how this story of Jesus feeding the multitudes is so rich with lessons. Every time I read it there seems to be more tucked away in it. It is obviously a significant narrative as all four gospel writers tell a version of it, each with their own lovely and unique insights.
Jesus had taken His disciples away to be alone with Him for a bit of time. This alone time with Him was part of the rhythm of life He was developing with them. He desires this rhythm of "life with Him" for us as well.
Passover is mentioned in this passage. So easy to miss this fleeting reference but this time I asked myself, "Why mention Passover?" I was also drawn to the word bread. He asked them where they could find bread. Enough bread for the hungry crowd.
They had no idea that Jesus, the One sitting on the grassy hillside with them, was Himself, the Bread of Life. He would soon be the One Who would fulfill all that the Passover feast meant to them.
Isaiah 55 then came to mind and I was reminded of the greatest invitation of all time. And a free invitation at that. Once again I read these amazing words.
1Wait and listen, everyone who is thirsty!
Come to the waters; and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine
and milk without money
and without price
[simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing].
2Why do you spend your money
for that which is not bread,
and your earnings for what does not satisfy?
Hearken diligently to Me,
and eat what is good,
and let your soul delight itself in fatness
[the profuseness of spiritual joy].
3Incline your ear
[submit and consent to the divine will]
and come to Me;
hear, and your soul will revive;
hear, and your soul will revive;
and I will make
and everlasting covenant or league with you,
even the sure mercy (kindness, goodwill, and compassion) promised to David.
Isaiah 55:1-3 amp
This passage, written hundreds of years before Jesus was even born mentions bread. "Why spend money on that which is not bread?" We do that. We spin our wheels in pursuit of all kinds of crazy things trying to find satisfaction.
This is an invitation to come to the LORD! The invitation is ongoing. Satisfaction, delight for our souls. All we have to do is come. Slow down and linger with Him. Lean in to listen. Ah! This is how our souls are revived.
I have been thinking about hearing/listening. God seems to ask His people often, to listen to Him. Might it be because we want to do all the talking?
I think there are levels of hearing. We hear with our ears and sometimes it stops there. In one ear and out the other. And then there is hearing and processing with our minds only. This gives us much information which is satisfying to our intellect, our egos even. And that can be okay.
But then there is listening with our hearts. That is how God wants us to listen to Him. He wants to penetrate our lives and pour into us, all He desires us to know about love and life in Him. His way. His truth. His life. And from this place we are able to pour out. It is the Kingdom way.
Back to John 6, later on in the chapter, Jesus declares, "I am the the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty."
Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah 55. He is God Who came. The Bread of Life, Who lived, died and rose again. We remember this every time we take communion. Yes, there maybe heartache, trouble and toil in this life but He is the One Who sustains us through it all as we come to Him.
There is much more from these few verses. Tomorrow is another day. In the meantime, Lord, help me to turn to You. To come but also to listen. Thank you that You are the Bread of Life. Bread which represents Your precious body, broken for me. Thank You for Your willingness to come to me, that I may come to You.
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