A Complex Situation

Written By Betty Predmore

John 6:43-71 (May 11)

Our story picks up where we left off yesterday, with Jesus in the synagogue in Capernaum, trying to get people to understand what he is teaching them.

As I read these scriptures, I can almost feel his frustration jumping off the page. He is repeating the same thing to them over and over again and they are just not getting it.

I think of parenting. I recall the many times I have tried to explain something to my children, only to have to repeat myself again and again. (I have told you a million times, it is NOT okay to pinch your sister!) If you are a mama, I'm sure you get what I am saying.

So here is Jesus, in this crowd of people who are mostly just wanting what they can get from him, and he is telling them REPEATEDLY that they only way they can receive eternal life is through him.

The complexity of the problem is that they are taking his words LITERALLY instead of FIGURATIVELY.

"I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die." Jesus is referring to himself, the Living Bread.

But these confused people are really baffled now. They start arguing amongst themselves as to the meaning of his words. "How can this man give us his flesh to eat," they asked.

This is starting to sound like an episode of The Walking Dead. People, people, we will have no eating of flesh here today!!

They just are not grasping the message. Things are not always black and white, and they just haven't figured that out yet. Jesus is not a loaf of bread or a cup of water. Many of his disciples are confused. "This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?"

Life has its confusing moments. It has many complex situations that we have to work our way through. Often times, we just don't understand the WHY, the HOW, the WHEN.

But those of us who walk in the faith of Christ, even though we don't understand all of that, we know and trust the WHO. We believe that he is our help in times of need, and even though we don't SEE him, we BELIEVE.

That is where the difference lies between us and these people in today's scripture. They are being asked to learn to believe, and their minds are struggling to wrap around the concept of this earthly man being the Son of God. I get that. I can see where it might be a stretch. But what joy, promise, security, and strength comes when we do believe.

But some of these disciples just could not accept what he was saying, and they turned away and left him. Jesus looked at his twelve and asked, "Are you also going to leave?" (Even though he already knew the answer)

These were the twelve that would stay, that would believe. These were the ones that Jesus had chosen, even though he knew that one would sell him out, another would deny him, and another would doubt.

Just like he chose those twelve, he chooses each of us. He knows there will be times in life when doubt may creep in. Some of us will drift away and sell out to something more attractive. Some may deny him when faced with ridicule. But he loves us anyways.

And for those of us who allow him the joy of walking through life with us, we learn we can get through anything with him at our side. We can manage any complex situation when we live out our lives with faith.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


Previous

Thunder & Rain
Next

People Change