The Question

Pondering John 6:16-51.

Many inquiring minds have asked the same question I once had, however I never used actual words. Instead, I lived the question out loud.  Some admit they have wrestled with the question while others attempt to push it out of their minds and pretend they aren’t interested.

The crowd followed Jesus to the other side of the lake. When they found Him, they boldly asked Him the question. “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

There must be something we do. God must surely require us to work to earn His favor. After all, it’s how this world operates. We work, we earn. Work produces money, trophies, promotions and pats on the back.

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

Nothing else! Nothing! Just believe in Jesus. Sounds simple yet such a struggle. It’s a struggle to lay aside pride in what we do. It’s hard to let go of the mindset that our good works will earn us God’s favor, mercy and grace. But if we spend honest time with ourselves, we know that there are not enough good deeds to wipe away our brokenness.

Jesus’ answer could have seemed too easy for the crowd focused on working their way to God. And actually I think that trusting and believing Jesus can be difficult for many. Regardless, too easy or too hard, the crowd in Capernaum challenged Jesus. “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you?”

Really! The day before, Jesus fed 20,000 people with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread yet this crowd cries for another miracle. Maybe their hungry stomachs were growling again because they reminded Jesus that God miraculously sent a form of bread called manna from heaven to their forefathers who wandered in the desert.

Perfect opportunity for a metaphor. Jesus identified Himself as “the true bread from heaven,” “the bread of life” and “the living bread.” Bread sustains and nourishes physical life. Jesus sustains and nourishes spiritual life.

Jesus expounded, “He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Jesus even further elaborated. “My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Everyone! It’s an open invitation. The crowds response was grumbling. Same response happens today. Believing is too hard for some. Is it really easier to spend a lifetime trying to be good enough and perform enough good works to please God?

Personally, I’ve tried that tactic and finally waved the white flag of surrender.

I could step into the Atlantic Ocean alongside a world class swimmer and begin swimming. No matter how good we are or how hard we’ve trained, neither one of us is going to make it to the other side of the ocean. It’s too vast a chasm. In the same way, I can stand beside Mother Teresa, who devoted her entire life to goodness, but neither one of us will make it into God’s holy presence based upon our attempted goodness. Belief in Jesus and His goodness is what God requires. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Questions to ponder?

Why am I motivated to do good works?

How do I feel about Jesus’ answer to the question, “What must I do?” Am I still wrestling with His answer? Or am I living with relief and gratitude?