Certain Salvation

Read today’s lesson and you will no longer wonder what salvation is and whether or not it is attainable.

John 6:36-58

• All…shall come (v. 37).
• Of all…I shall lose nothing (v. 39).
• Every one who …believeth…I will raise him up at the last day (v. 40).
• No man can come…unless the Father…draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day (v. 44).
• Every one who has…learned of the Father comes to me (v. 45).
• He who believes on me has everlasting life (v. 47).

Meditation Points:

1. Election by God.

2. Eternal life.

3. Guaranteed resurrection.

4. Nothing without Jesus.

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“I am the bread of life.”

Man does not live by bread alone…but he does need bread. Especially does man need the bread of life.

John 6:22-36

• Feeding the 5000 was a recent miracle. That was just the beginning.
• Many who had witnessed or heard of that miracle went looking for Jesus.
• Jesus knew that they sought the results of the miracle and not Him who had done the miracle.
• Challenged by Jesus to do the works of God, they asked him to elaborate. “Believe on him who he has sent.” (v. 27-29).
• They demanded a sign, like manna from heaven, as though they hadn’t already witnessed a miracle (v. 30-31).
• Jesus informs them that Moses didn’t call the manna from heaven; and that true manna from heaven is Jesus himself (v. 32-33).
• Stuck in carnal and literal interpretation mode, they demand the bread (v. 34).
• Coming to Jesus satisfies one’s hunger; trusting Jesus quenches one’s thirst (v. 35). Forever!

Meditation Points:

1. Look for the spiritual truth.
2. Failing to remember verse 35 has led to many strange ideas, including accusations of cannibalism and transubstantiation.

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Returning from the day off that wasn’t

Jesus and his men had gone across the sea to a quiet place so that they could rest a while.  But crowds found them out and the day was spent ministering to thousands. The night was spent traveling by sea through a great wind storm. Not much rest that day.

Mark 6:53-56; Matthew 14:34-36

• No sooner had they landed than they were surrounded by needed crowds again (v. 54-55).
• And Jesus, untiringly, continued into villages, cities, and country to minister.
• Like the woman who sneaked behind him and touched his garment, many others did the same and were made whole (v. 56).

Meditation Points:

1. Without benefit of modern communications, word traveled fast about Jesus, his whereabouts, and his ministry.
2. Where does one get strength to work such long hours?

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Walking On Water

This is the occasion when Peter was bid to leave the boat and walk on water.

Mark 6:47-52; John 6:16-21

• Obediently, the disciples set off for the other side of the lake.
• A great wind arose and the sea became tumultuous.
• Not surprisingly, the disciples were afraid (please remember that not all of them were fishermen by trade)
• They manned the oars, but after 9 hours they managed to travel only 25 or 30 furlongs (3 or 4 miles).
• Jesus saw them (from his vantage point on the mountain, or as omniscient God?)
• Jesus walked (on the water) to see them.
• Mark (v. 48) suggests that he was going to pass them, but they cried out, supposing that they had seen a ghost.
• Jesus stopped to comfort them. He went up into the ship, and the wind ceased.
• But, not considering the miracle of the loaves, their heart was hardened (v. 52).

Meditation Points:

1. Sometimes, no matter how you try, and no matter how sure you are in the will of God, things don’t go your way and you don’t seem to make any progress.
2. Be sure that Jesus sees your struggle.
3. When He is with you, the wind stops.
4. Don’t harden your heart by failing to consider all that Jesus has done.

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