Murmuring

Scripture: John 6:41-51 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

41 Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” 43 But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. 44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. 45 As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46 (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.) 47 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. 48 Yes, I am the bread of life! 49 Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. 50 Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” (John 6:41–51 NLT)

Jesus is in Capernaum, having returned from the other side of Lake Galilee where he had famously fed more than five thousand people with a little bread and a few fish. Folks are now getting a little frustrated, because they had hoped to get a free lunch from Jesus, and all they’re getting is talk about Bread of Life and Living Water.

A disagreement broke out when Jesus referred to himself as the “Bread of Life” from heaven! Someone said, “This is Jesus the son of Joseph! We know his Dad and Mom! Besides, I remember when I had him install a set of shelves in my pantry a few years ago! He’s just Jesus the carpenter!”

This reminds me that what we’re expecting to find is what we usually find. If we go to church and expect the music to be too loud, it probably will be. If we expect the worship team to be a bunch of young kids wearing skinny jeans, that’s probably what we’ll see. If we’re unhappy because our favorite preacher is away and someone else is speaking, we probably won’t hear a message from God and we’ll go away disappointed. Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, listen! You’ll learn. Whoever has eyes to see, look! You’ll discover!” Let’s not miss it!

Prayer:

Father, I pray for my friends and me that we’ll have ears to hear and eyes to see! I don’t want to miss what you’re saying or what you’re showing! Please give us the Living Water and the Bread from Heaven to nourish our souls. In Jesus’ Name!