What does true satisfaction look like? (part 2)
We continue where we left off last week, asking the question, what does true satisfaction look like? This time we look to John 6:41-59 to continue exploring characteristics of true satisfaction
True satisfaction comes from the right attitude
Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” … Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. (John 6:41-43, 52 NLT)
The people who were questioning Jesus were the same crowds who had previously pursued him after knowing he had fed the five thousand. When Jesus first offered them the “true bread from heaven,” they all with excitement asked to receive that bread every day. However, once Jesus explained that he was the true bread, or the bread of life, the people began to murmur in disagreement. The bread they were looking for only gave temporary satisfaction, while the bread Jesus offered was eternal satisfaction. While the people thought of the manna that came down from heaven for their ancestors; Jesus was referring to himself, also sent from heaven. While the Israelites had been longing to receive their Messiah, they believed all signs pointed away from Jesus, and so were blind. They were fixated on the things God could do for them (like the bread and fish Jesus had provided), they should have been fixated on what they could do for God. This is the attitude we’re called to have; not thinking merely of ourselves and satisfying our every need (or desire). But, we should be thinking of what we could do for God as to satisfy our needs.
Questions:
Have you ever had the attitude of "God I'll do something for you if you benefit me first?"
Why do you think it's wrong to have this kind of attitude?
True satisfaction comes from a sacrificial lifestyle
So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. (John 6:53-55 NLT)
Drinking or consuming blood in Jewish culture was (and is) considered sacrilegious. Otherwise known as a big ‘no-no‘. But Jesus called on these allusions because in the Jewish lifestyle, there was the concept of true food and drink. The idea of true food and drink existing meant people could receive true or full satisfaction. While Jesus wasn’t asking them to literally drink his blood, he was inviting them to something greater. He was inviting them into eternal life. No doubt, the Jews were disgusted at Jesus invitation. However, to drink Jesus’ blood is significant for those looking for true (eternal) satisfaction. Jesus’ death was a process that required the Jewish leaders to be angry at him (to the point of hating and crucifying him). And the result of his death meant we can be reunited with God in his eternal glory. This is the invitation we are offered when we eat the flesh of Man and drink Jesus’ blood. If we decide to take Jesus up on his invitation, we are placing our whole trust in Jesus to inform how we live our lives. This takes huge sacrifice on our part. But we can rest easy, knowing that the choice to sacrifice is simple. We can be happy to sacrifice our lives to Christ for he made the biggest sacrifice of all for all.
Questions:
Why is it difficult to live a sacrificial lifestyle?
What are some ways we can reflect Jesus' sacrificial lifestyle?
Have you been living a sacrificial lifestyle recently or not?