FWD: Morning Manna (Oct. 25); BP: Jn. 6:60-71; RBTTY: I Tim. 5; Jer. 6-8

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:51:17 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (Oct. 25); BP: Jn. 6:60-71; RBTTY: I Tim. 5; Jer. 6-8
 
 
October 25 “The Savior’s Painful Questions”  
 
“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, ‘Will you also go  
away’?”  
John 6:67  
His questions reveal His humanity and great passion of soul; our  
answers reveal our love and devotion to Him (or lack of it).  
There’s no way we can imagine the great anguish of heart Jesus felt  
that day when He asked the question in today’s Manna. At first glance, we’d  
think the context of the question was toward the last of His earthly  
ministry; however, closer examination reveals it was toward the beginning of  
it.  
 
Thus, it’s clear Jesus’ ministry was no bed of roses from the very  
outset. John the Baptist had identified Him as “the Lamb of God, Who takes  
away the sins of the world” (Jn. 1:29, 35). He’d changed the water into  
wine (2:1-10). . .demonstrated His authority by cleansing the Temple  
(2:13-25). . .told Nicodemus how to be saved (3:1-21). . .led the  
guilt-ridden Samaritan woman at the well to salvation (4:1-29). . .healed  
the nobleman’s son (4:46-54). . .healed the crippled man at the Pool of  
Bethesda (5:1-9). . .fed the 5,000 (6:1-14). . .and walked on water  
(6:15-21).  
 
Yet, still many “murmured against Him” (6:60-61) and “went back,  
walking with Him no more” (6:66). In spite of all the good He’d done, they  
still were unsure of this “crazy guy” who threw such a fit in the Temple.  
And, they were already fearing the Jewish leaders, who were outraged over  
Jesus’ healing a lame man on the Sabbath (5:10-16) and claiming equality  
with God in nature, power and authority (5:19-30).  
 
Oh, how fickle the flesh! One minute the lips will be shouting,  
“Hosanna to God in the highest” (Mk. 11:9) and the next minute they’ll be  
crying “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” (Jn. 19:6). That’s why we should not  
savor too deeply others’ flattery—for, in so doing, we shall also soon be  
crushed by their criticism.  
 
Jesus’ question of “Will you also go away?” was a pointed one that  
sprang from an anguished heart. Truly, He was “tempted in every way as we  
are” (Heb. 4:14-16). Likewise, some of His other questions reveal His  
“pained pathos:”  
 
“Where is your faith?” (Lk. 8:25). “Where have you laid him?” (Jn.  
11:34). “O you of little faith. Why did you doubt?” (Mt. 14:31). “Have I  
been so long with you and yet you have not known Me, Philip?” (Jn. 14:9).  
“Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour?” (Mk. 14:37). “My  
God, My God—why have You forsaken Me?” (Mt. 15:34). “Simon, son of John, do  
you love Me?” (Jn. 21:15).  
 
Painful questions, aren’t they, Pilgrim? Assuredly they are; however,  
they weren’t asked to invoke guilt. They were the cries of our Suffering  
Savior, Whose heart ached over his disciples’ (and our) lack of faith and  
faithfulness.  
 
May we ponder these holy queries today, remembering our power to make  
the angels rejoice (Lk. 15:7, 10) or the Savior weep (Jn. 11:35; Lk. 19:41).  
Then, may we allow His love and suffering for us to stimulate us to  
absolute surrender in service to Him.  
 
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