For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
John 6
Why did Jesus test Philip? What does it mean to you that Jesus is the Bread of Life? What is the significance of Jesus’ telling us that His flesh and blood, which He sacrificed for us, is something we need to eat and drink? I can think of a couple of things. One is that food and drink are essential to life. Thus, by associating the sacrifice of His human form with food and drink, He makes it clear that this sacrifice is essential to true life. Another is that food and drink need to be taken in and digested to do any good. Likewise, for His sacrifice to give us life, we must internalize it. We must take part in His sacrifice, letting go of what we are and becoming what He makes us.
I am aware that the Jews ate at least some of the sacrifices they made to God. A prime example is the original Passover Lamb that each household sacrificed to escape the plague of death in Egypt. It was so important that they consumed the entire lamb that small households were to join together so they could do so. I wonder if Jesus’ disciples were aware of this association. Perhaps this is part of why they said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” (John 6:60b).
One last thought on Jesus’ commentary here, concerning the reference to the manna. As with the Law, manna, though from God, came through Moses. Like the Law, then, it was a temporary measure. Neither could offer eternal life. Jesus, on the other hand, came straight from God and is God. Therefore, unlike bread that does not last – even manna from heaven – anyone who partakes of Jesus lives forever.
1 Chron 14-15
David inquired of the Lord before the second battle. Where might you neglect to inquire of the Lord because you have experience and assume you know what to do? What was different about the way the Ark was transported from the first time to this? Why did that matter? David defeated the Philistines in battle. Then, after they recouped, they came at him again. It would have been so easy for David to feel the familiarity of the situation and take it into his own hands. He could have simply done what he did the first time. It worked, why fix it? But David didn’t do that. He wisely recognized and repeated the one action he had taken the first time that actually led to his success. He inquired of the LORD. Everything after that was from God, not from David, and David knew it.
I so often find myself not even getting it right the first time around. I tackle everyday situations and decisions in my own strength and wisdom, taking for granted that God, who I know is faithful, is with me. Yet I know that isn’t how God wants it to be. David also demonstrated this truth for me in his first failed effort to move the ark. In his words, “We did not inquire of Him about how to do it in the prescribed way.” (1 Chron. 15:13b). So, whether I am facing great battles or little things that I wouldn’t think the God of the universe would even care about, I need to remember to take it to God first. Our God is big enough to handle all the things, and I need to make sure that I am doing them His way.
Ps. 75
For what does the psalmist praise and exalt God? Take a moment to praise Him in your own words. God is BIG. Bigger than we can ever even fathom. His power is beyond our ability to comprehend. He is not one we can wrap our head around or fit into a tidy little manageable package. God is God. Yet there are those who stand and boast in their own might and strength. I have this image in my head of a tiny little man standing before an unfathomably BIG God, shaking his fist at God in defiance, exalting himself with bold and lofty words, and telling God how it’s going to be. It’s absurd!! God can squish such men like a bug with less than His little finger! Why would anybody be so foolish?
It’s funny how a small thing can block our view of something big. Like putting your thumb up in front of your face to block the moon. Our pride is that thumb. It swells up and we can’t see around it. We become like a child who thinks that, because their eyes are shut and they can’t see, no one can see them. Such are the wicked who exalt themselves against God.
You know, the only reason a thumb can block our view of something like the moon is because the thumb is near and the moon is far away. The closer that moon is, and the farther we move our thumb away, the more impossible it becomes to block our view of it. Maybe that’s why the Psalmist says, “we praise you, for your Name is near” (Ps. 75:1). If we hold God close and let Him remove the pride from our heart we won’t be so inclined to boast like fools. Instead we, like the Psalmist, will wisely declare His praise forever.