October 10 - John 6:22-71, Mark 7:1-23, Matthew 15:1-20

Good morning everyone,

We begin this morning’s reading with the crowd of more than five thousand people, that Jesus had miraculously fed, waking up the following day to find Him, his disciples and the only boat that had been there, gone. As they were standing there scratching their beards wondering, “now what?,” some boats from Tiberias blew to shore, landing near to where they were staying. Hmmm, they must of thought while looking at each other and with a grin forming on their faces, giving each other the ole wink and nod, they then hop in those boats and sail off to Capernaum in quest of Jesus. (very loose translation)

When they found Jesus on the other side of the lake, Jesus called them out. You see, He knew their hearts, He knew that it was the fish and bread, a free meal, that sent them in search of Him not the desire to know Him more. So they asked Jesus, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” and Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” Then these thousands of folks, who just the day before were all fed until they were full from but a few loaves of bread and fish, wanted a sign to see so they could believe in Him. Ughhh, I say!

Today things haven’t changed so much from two thousand years ago. Some people will demand complicated proofs to show that the Bible is the word of God. They will remain skeptical looking for miraculous signs or evidence from an archaeological dig to substantiate the truth in the Scripture. However, we as followers of Christ Jesus, should simply believe the Bible and all that is written in it. Why? Well, because, that’s what God says to do. Yeah, I know that answer may not be sufficient for a lot of people, but the logic is sound and I am a very logical kind of person who likes to follow rules, especially God’s rules. 

Friends, Ephesians 2:8 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” It is by this very same faith we are to receive the God breathed Word of the holy Bible. The Word is well documented actual facts. 1 Peter says, “For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.” That totally rocks! We all must come to the point where we have confidence, beyond a shadow of a doubt, in whatever is written in the Bible. How can it be any other way?

In our hearts we need to believe the Bible to be true, right and good. Unlike the great multitudes, there should be no question in our minds at all that we can depend in it. We should not require a sign, we should simply say and live out, “Yes, Lord yes to your Word and to your ways”. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..