I guess most
have heard the story about how Jesus fed the 5000 men (plus women and children)
with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. But then the story continues to tell how after
everyone was fed and Jesus had preached to them and stuff, Jesus leaves
everyone. And, as so often before, He goes up into the mountain to be alone. (I
love how the Bible tells again and again how Jesus before or after big events
went to be alone with God. When He needed it, how much more don´t I..?) The
story goes on telling how, when evening came, the disciples went down to the
lake. It was dark, Jesus had not come yet, and maybe they felt a storm coming
on. So they decided to go on to cross the lake without Him. You´ve probably
also heard the story of how Jesus then came walking to them on the water,
probably almost scaring them to death before they realized who it was..
But the
story goes on, and tells how the next day, the people started looking for Jesus
where He had given them food. But He wasn´t there, they knew there had been
only one boat, and they had seen the disciples leave without Him. They went
over to the other side, and found Jesus there. When they did, they asked Him, ”when
did You get here?” and I just love how He replies. Of course He could have gone
on telling about this amazing miracle when He walked on water, and I can
imagine the disciples jump in, telling how truly great it was, how scared they
were (although some probably would pretend to have been brave..) and how even
Peter tried to walk to Him on the water as well (even though John actually
doesn´t write the bit about Peter). He could have really painted a picture of
how great He is, and how He rules over everything, even nature. And then try to
make them realize for real who He actually was. But no, Jesus doesn´t say
anything about that. He goes on, almost rebuking them; saying ”you´re looking
for me only because I fed you for free...” (the maria translation...) It goes
on in John 6:27-30 ””Do not work for food
that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man
will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” then
they asked him, ”what must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered,
” the work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” so they asked
him, ”What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you?” ”
and they go on into a debate about the manna the Israelites ate in the desert
and so on. But through it all, it seems like Jesus is trying to make them realize
this; It´s not about what work I do, or what Jesus does, all it comes down to,
is who do I believe? Where do I put my trust? It´s not about signs, wonders,
miracles, and all that stuff. All it really comes down to, is who do I believe?
Do I put Jesus first, at the center of everything?
The vision of my church
starts with: ”We see a Jesus-loving church...” and I just love that. A
Jesus-loving church will always have Him as the center, will always start with
Him, and end with Him. And then, yes, I really believe the signs, wonders and
miracles will come. But it´s not built around that. It´s built on Him. I don’t
know about you, but that´s how I want to live my life. Always choosing Him
first, have Him as the center of my life. Whatever that might mean, and
whatever that might look like. It might mean making some choices that are
different, it might mean to get up a bit earlier just to spend some time with
Him first thing in the morning, it might look like giving up something I really
think I want… It might not always seem like the easy way, but in the end, I’m certain
it’ll be the best way. Whatever it will be like, I want my prayer to be, today
and every day: “Give me Jesus, only Jesus!”
