Yesterday's Sign
Yesterday’s Sign
Several years ago, before GPS, Sonya and I were travelling home from a trip and we were so busy talking that I missed our exit sign. We actually had travelled about 30 miles past our exit when we finally noticed and had to pull over and try to figure out the best way back. What should have been a 2-hour trip turned into a 6-hour ride home simply because I missed the sign.
As we continue to examine John chapter 6, Jesus had fed over 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. The next day, that crowd wanted to see more. Travelling across the sea to Capernaum, they went to find him. Upon finding Him, they questioned how Jesus was able to travel across the sea so quickly. Jesus ignored their question and instead responded very directly that the only reason they were there was because He had fed them the day before. He told them not to work for bread that perishes but bread that leads to eternal life which was available by simply believing in Him.
The people responded with a very nonsensical question, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” (John 6;30-31). They remembered the past history of the nation, but they forgot what happened to them yesterday.
They had witnessed a miracle involving bread the day before. Now they wanted another miracle and more bread so that Jesus could prove that He was the Messiah. Yesterday’s sign wasn’t enough, they wanted a new one. Oh boy! What kind of losers were these people?
Then I embarrassingly think, “uh, they’re just like me.” How many times in our lives has God done great things for us, miraculous things? But in the present, we forget the past and question why God isn’t moving for us today.
When you look at the text, the reason becomes obvious. Jesus had performed a great sign to prove who He was but they missed the sign and focused instead on the results. Jesus had met their physical need of the moment, they were hungry. The next day, they were hungry again and wanted to be fed. The sign was right in front of them, but they were oblivious to its meaning. Instead, they were happy because they had been satisfied physically. We do the same thing.
When we fall into some dire circumstance and God beautifully proves Himself and handles it. We love the results! A few days or weeks later, we fall into another difficult set of circumstances and we say, “Just prove yourself today. Give me some sign that you are there.” When we focus on the provision rather than the one who provided it, we begin to doubt God and wonder where He is when the next dire event happens.
Why not take the time, sit down and write out all the times that God has proven Himself to you. Remind yourself of what God has done so that you can have a clear memory. Then the next time God moves and gives you a sign, maybe you won’t miss it.
These are your Words for Wednesday.
I look forward to seeing you for worship this coming Sunday morning at 10:45 at Ballentine Elementary School. Have a great rest of your week!
In Christ,
Kevin
Several years ago, before GPS, Sonya and I were travelling home from a trip and we were so busy talking that I missed our exit sign. We actually had travelled about 30 miles past our exit when we finally noticed and had to pull over and try to figure out the best way back. What should have been a 2-hour trip turned into a 6-hour ride home simply because I missed the sign.
As we continue to examine John chapter 6, Jesus had fed over 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. The next day, that crowd wanted to see more. Travelling across the sea to Capernaum, they went to find him. Upon finding Him, they questioned how Jesus was able to travel across the sea so quickly. Jesus ignored their question and instead responded very directly that the only reason they were there was because He had fed them the day before. He told them not to work for bread that perishes but bread that leads to eternal life which was available by simply believing in Him.
The people responded with a very nonsensical question, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” (John 6;30-31). They remembered the past history of the nation, but they forgot what happened to them yesterday.
They had witnessed a miracle involving bread the day before. Now they wanted another miracle and more bread so that Jesus could prove that He was the Messiah. Yesterday’s sign wasn’t enough, they wanted a new one. Oh boy! What kind of losers were these people?
Then I embarrassingly think, “uh, they’re just like me.” How many times in our lives has God done great things for us, miraculous things? But in the present, we forget the past and question why God isn’t moving for us today.
When you look at the text, the reason becomes obvious. Jesus had performed a great sign to prove who He was but they missed the sign and focused instead on the results. Jesus had met their physical need of the moment, they were hungry. The next day, they were hungry again and wanted to be fed. The sign was right in front of them, but they were oblivious to its meaning. Instead, they were happy because they had been satisfied physically. We do the same thing.
When we fall into some dire circumstance and God beautifully proves Himself and handles it. We love the results! A few days or weeks later, we fall into another difficult set of circumstances and we say, “Just prove yourself today. Give me some sign that you are there.” When we focus on the provision rather than the one who provided it, we begin to doubt God and wonder where He is when the next dire event happens.
Why not take the time, sit down and write out all the times that God has proven Himself to you. Remind yourself of what God has done so that you can have a clear memory. Then the next time God moves and gives you a sign, maybe you won’t miss it.
These are your Words for Wednesday.
I look forward to seeing you for worship this coming Sunday morning at 10:45 at Ballentine Elementary School. Have a great rest of your week!
In Christ,
Kevin
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