Thursday, 15 March 2012

Quiet Time today--John6:16-40

There are QT passages for the month in the side bar, feel free to download/print. I've been having my QT, but a lil' lazy to post up. =P

John 6:16-40
Jesus Walks on the Water

 16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,[a] 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.

 22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
Jesus the Bread of Life
 25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
 26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
 30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[b]”
 32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
 34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
Footnotes:
  1. John 6:19 Or about 5 or 6 kilometers
  2. John 6:31 Exodus 16:4; Neh. 9:15; Psalm 78:24,25
vs 35: The hunger and thirst Jesus was referring to was that of spiritual need, and not being physically hungry. What assurance! The spiritual need and also the search for the purpose in life ends with Christ. I have been empty for some time myself, wondering what I have to do with Christ. And I imagined a scenario when I didn't have Christ either. Actually having Christ and not knowing what to do with Him is better than not having Him and salvation that comes with him.

Calvin's Catechism explored this in the VERY FIRST QNS: What is the chief end of man? That is to say, what is our ultimate purpose in life?

You can refer to my recent reading: What on Earth am I Here For?
Or simply accept that it is to worship and love God with all our heart, all our soul and all our strength (Deut 6:5). Furthermore, we can choose to carry out his work through evangelising and telling others about him. 

APPLICATION: I would want to do his will and to share the gospel to all people. It is definitely more fulfilling than my own will anw. =P Today I'm all geared for witnessing on campus!