“Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.”
John 6:2-3 NKJV
Something about this passage really struck me today – specifically that there were two groups of people who surrounded Yeshua. And truthfully, I think we’re still like that today.
Do we come to Him because of what He does or do we come to Him because of who He is? So we follow the latest crusade or popular teacher, or do we make space to sit at His feet, listening and learning – expecting nothing in return yet reaping a harvest we did not sow?
Just the other day we had the opportunity to spend time the morning with my Pastor and Mentor. When I worked for him, we walked almost every day. Anyone that knows him knows walking is his thing. I am convinced he preached his best sermons on streets of Grand Prairie when he shared them on me before mile 3. The other morning he asked me if wanted to walk or eat breakfast- sadly I didn’t have time for both. I replied that it was up to him and asked what he wanted to do. His reply was simple and profound: “I want relationship.“ Since our spouses were with us, we chose Old West because we could sit, linger, and connect.
That is what Yeshua is after – intimacy and connection. He is calling us to sit with Him – to have a relationship with Him, not chase what He is doing place to place.
It’s interesting that later in the chapter a group of followers leaves Yeshua and a group stays with Him:
“Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled…From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.””
John 6:26, 66-69 NKJV
The ones who followed what He DID became offended and left Him. The ones who took time to sit with Him and really lean in were the ones who came to believe in Him.
The question and challenge for me is this: where do I find myself when I look in the mirror? Am I following or am I sitting today?
May I be drawn to Him alone and nothing else.
Father – forgive me for the times I’ve been drawn by what You are doing more than who You are. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: John 6
October 18, 2022