PROOF: October 9

PROOF: October 9, 2022
Elder, Don Broesamle

It is I, don't be afraid. -Jesus

Who do you say that He is?

On Sunday, one of our elders, Don Broesamle, taught through John 6. Who is this man, he asked? Through this chapter, we see Jesus bless thousands, walk on water, align Himself with the fullness of life and then see disciples turn away. What?

The time was coming near for the Jewish Passover Festival. As Jesus crossed to the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he noticed a large crowd (Scripture says about 5,000!) gathering and asked the disciples to have the crowd sit down. Offering to feed them, his disciples guffawed because what was offered were 5 loaves of barley bread and a couple of fish from a boy. "But how far will they go among so many", Andrew (one of the disciples) asked (v. 9). Then Jesus. Verses 11 and 12 tell us that, "Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, He said to His disciples, 'Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted'". Jesus not only multiplied what was offered, but provided more than what they could consume. Who do you say that He is? 

Later that evening, Jesus' disciples got into a boat to set off across the lake while Jesus went away to the mountain by Himself (He did just multiple food for thousands and I'm guessing He needed to re-charge). They were in Tiberias and were heading to Capernaum. As it became dark, winds began to blow and the waters grew rough. Prior to looking at a map and photos of the Sea of Galilee, I imagined the lake much like Pinecrest. It's a lake, right? I didn't realize how wrong I was. The Sea of Galilee is currently 64 square miles. Clearly not Pinecrest! When the disciples had rowed a few miles away from the shore, they noticed Jesus walking on the water towards the boat and were afraid. Raise your hand if you'd be afraid too? Ok, thank you! I would be terrified/ shocked/ checking my pulse. "It is I, don't be afraid" (vs 20). 

Who do we say He is? 

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (vs. 35-40)

We can experience and witness God doing incredible things- multiplying and magnifying blessings, wisdom, abundance. But we, like some of the disciples, will also see and hear others saying things much like, "This is a hard teaching", and watch as people walk away. Does this detract from who He is? Of course not. He is who He is regardless of the beliefs about Him and His teaching.

What is God revealing to you here? What is He capable of revealing to us and what does He choose to reveal? I see this incredible freedom to offer what I can, in open hands and see how God multiplies it because not only through the Scripture but in experiences throughout my life, I have witnessed God take what I have- the good, bad and rotten, and break the barriers of what I think the limits are to expose His power. I love what Don said towards the end of the sermon, "Always pack a lunch because God will use what you have". Excellent.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/ HAPPENINGS THIS WEEK