Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 17:20:44 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Dec. 6); BP: Jn. 6:60-71; RBTTY: I Jn. 5; Dan. 3-4
December 6 “To Whom Shall We Go?”
“Then Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life’.”
John 6:68
When we know Him—really, really know Him—we know there’s really only one Option in life.
Multiple choices.
They’re everywhere. There are a zillion makes and models of vehicles. . .with a zillion different colors, bells-and-whistles. The same is true with computers and candy. . .suits and shoes. . .food and drink. . .televisions, radios, MP3 players, video games, etc. And, when it’s all said and done, most likely, we’ll end up buying what’s most “popular”—for “it’s got to be the best if everyone’s getting it,” isn’t it?
Or, is it?
Today’s Manna is both an insightful and indicting one—for it comes right on the heels of Jesus’ question to the 12 of “Will you also go away?” (v.67). Ironically, this great “falling away” (v.66) came toward the beginning of His ministry, not at the last. But, such is always the way of fickle flesh. . .for one minute it’s crying “Hosanna!” and the next minute shouting “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
Thus, Jesus’ question is posed everyday all over the world as folks decide what they’ll do with Him. They’ve heard the Gospel—perhaps more than once. And, in hearing it, they’re now responsible for what they’ll do with it. Sadly, “many turn away and walk no more with Christ” (v.66), disillusioned and disappointed.
Initially, they were excited about this newfound life in Christ. They possibly even sang in the choir, taught a Sunday School class or even preached from the pulpit. Yet, “something” happened. Perhaps it was an unkind word or deed. Or perhaps an unexpected crisis arose, leaving them reeling.
So, they said “That’s it! I’m through” and, like Demas (II Tim. 4:10), out the door they go. Yet, in going they forget they’re turning their back upon the only One Who can give them “the peace that passes all understanding” (Phil. 4:7), the rest they need (Mt. 11:28-30) and the “words of eternal life.”
Shallow soil is short-lived soil and reveals no roots were ever formed (Lk. 8:6), causing that which is found there to easily wither away “when testing comes” (Lk. 8:13). However, when we’ve truly been “enlightened, tasted of the Heavenly Gift, been made partakers of the Holy Spirit and have tasted of the good Word of God and the powers of the world to come” (Heb. 6:4-5), we can ill-afford to turn our back upon the One Who gave His life at Calvary. To do so leaves us in great peril (6:6-8).
Following Christ is a life-long journey that quite often leads up steep, rocky paths or through miry, marshy bogs. But, press on, Pilgrim—“for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have showed in His Name” (Heb. 6:10a) and “will not permit you to be tried beyond your breaking point as He gives you grace in it” (I Cor. 10:13).
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