What Do You Feed the Bread of Life?

If you had Jesus over for dinner what would you feed Him?  It seems funny that the physical expression of God would even need to eat. It's hard to imagine that He would have physical needs like resting and recreation, or emotional needs like interaction with and affirmation of others. 

Instinctively we know God is complete. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present, all-righteous.  God is not needy in any sense.  So why would He express needs?  

It's not because God has needs.  It's because we do.  Jesus expresses human needs to physically demonstrate that He understands where we're coming from. 

He understands you get tired.  He understands your frustration when others don't measure up, when life doesn't measure up.  He understands your hunger and thirst, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. 

He understands the fullness of your humanity.  Jesus not only walks with you, He has gone before you.  Jesus is ready to give you all the instruction you need to make sense of your current situation, and to prepare you to move forward. 

Whatever challenge or trouble you face, remember Jesus has faced it and triumphed. And He will help you do the same. 

Focus Scripture:  'For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in time of need.'  Hebrews 4:15-16

Truth Staring You in the Face?

Would you recognize Jesus if He appeared to you?  Or would you be so focused on the pain of your own life that you wouldn't see Him even if He was standing right in front of you?

If you failed to recognize Jesus it might be because you had lowered your expectations—you don't feel worthy of Him; in your shame you assume He won't bother to show up. 

Maybe your failure to recognize Jesus would be due to all the drama in your life.  Office politics, national politics, and interpersonal politics consume so much energy you can't see who is before you. 

Or maybe life's disappointments would blind your eyes to His presence—raised hopes recently dashed, broken promises, broken relationships, and broken dreams that have left you wounded beyond meaning.

If the drama of everyday life keeps you from recognizing Jesus, you're not alone, the human species has a poor track record recognizing Him. 

So detach from the distractions of everyday life demands and realities long enough to seek Jesus, to ask Him to reveal Himself.  Be determined to find Him. 

He is there, waiting for you to acknowledge Him, waiting for you to open your heart, waiting for you to recognize His face, His voice. 

And He's waiting to ignite your heart with the life of His Presence.  

Focus Scripture: Jesus says 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.'  Revelation 3:20

This Changes Everything

Believing in the resurrection of Jesus is the most dangerous thing you can do. 

First, it will change how people view you.  People with no knowledge of the factual basis of Jesus' resurrection still instinctively fear its transforming power.   In their skepticism they will marginalize you in order to avoid the inconvenience of such a threatening truth.

Believing in Jesus's resurrection will change how you view yourself.  Jesus raising from the dead means there is no pain or mistake or sin in your past that can't be made right.  It means you can no longer keep making excuses, wallowing in the paralysis of regret. 

With life's greatest obstacle removed, you now have life's greatest freedom.  Now you Have to move forward. 

Believing in the resurrection of Jesus will change how you view the future.  The fear of death drives every fear that haunts our hearts. Knowing that Jesus has conquered death leaves us unable to embrace the fears that give us such terrifying comfort.  

Now there is no fear that keeps you from changing your world and working to change the world of those around you.  

Yes, believing in the resurrection of Jesus is the most dangerous truth. It changes who you are, how you live, and what you live for.  

The resurrection of Jesus changes everything for the better . . . . Forever. 

Focus Scripture:  Jesus said 'Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ After He had said this He breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'  John 20:21-22