Reflecting on John 6:60-70“The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” (John 6:63)
It is not just words that make a difference, but the Spirit and life in those words.
Wedding vows are nothing apart from the willing spirit of the one making them.
And their words are just words until they bring them to life in action.
What Jesus says and does is backed by the Spirit and life of God.
They are embodied in the human Jesus, they are God’s love in the flesh.
The disciples committed to Jesus with their words, but their flesh and spirit were weak.
Many disciples left Jesus because what He said and did was too hard for them.
But Jesus persevered, because what He said and did was not too hard for God.
When I hear and see Jesus, I also sense its difficulty and challenge.
The kind of love Jesus embodies is impossible for me.
Yet this is why I hang on to Jesus, because I see it lived out by Him.
I see the Spirit and Life of God in Jesus, which is gracious love.
I cling to Jesus, consuming His message and ministry, because it feeds me.
I find courage, hope and strength in His embodied love, even when I falter.
My spirit and flesh are weak, but He is strong, feeding me with hope!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I am weak like Judas and Peter, but You are strong and full of God's Spirit and Life. It is Your strength, not mine, that keeps me hanging on.
Knowing – Loving – Doing. These three belong together. Picture them as the words around the edge of a circle. No beginning. No end. To know is to do with love. Words and deeds with love. All driven by the love of God to serve Him.
1 I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain:
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
2 Thro’ this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee. [Refrain]
3 When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore. [Refrain]