SCRIPTURE: John 6:60-65
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.” (John 6:63)
If I say to you, ‘give flowers to your wife’, there are two sides to this.
There is the actual physical, practical side: flowers, giving, wife.
There is also the spiritual intent and meaning: love your wife, express that love!
My point is not ‘give flowers to’ but ‘actively love’ your wife.
You can give flowers, or you can buy her jewelry, or take her out to dinner.
Just love her, and do what you can to show it.
Jesus speaks spiritual truth through physical, practical examples and illustrations.
‘Eat my flesh’ is not physical, practical truth, it is spiritual truth.
‘Love me, cling to me, feed on my wisdom, rely on me for strength.’
The bible communicates spiritual truth and wisdom through physical, practical means.
Religion turns the shadows into the substance, makes rules out of illustrations
The heart of Jesus teaching is deep: love, forgive, serve, confess, pursue justice.
He uses many words, forms and examples to teach this.
Don’t give up on Jesus because of the form of His words; listen to His heart.
“The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:9-10)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, so many people miss the heart of what You say. And sadly, many turn Your words into religious Law. Help us to listen to the Spirit and Life in what You say!
Observation/Application
Jesus had to ascend where He was before. He is God’s Son and does live with the Father eternally. The life He lived on earth was to show us – you and me – that Christ lived the truth on earth, being the gateway to heaven. For all people, to live here physically – the flesh moments are but moments compared to live eternally with Him. Our bodies last but a blink of the eye compared to living forevermore with Him. That evermore starts here and now by living the fruit of the Spirit. That’s more than words. It’s action.
How do I live Christ? In words and deeds.
Love God!
Love man.
That’s only a possibility of Christ living within me.
Spirit of the living God,
move among us all;
make us one in heart and mind,
make us one in love,
humble, caring,
selfless, sharing.
Spirit of the living God,
fill our lives with love.