Surviving

John chapter 6 the Jews ask Jesus, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” I love this question ~ because it’s always been mine. My religion propagated work. (As is the case for most.) It was about building a moral platform from which to safeguard your future. How can I secure immortality?

When I first read it I thought people were asking out of goodness gushing out their hearts. Volunteers wanting to work for God, save the world, change the status quo…blah blah blah. Then it leavened. These people were hungry, living under the oppression of Roman rule. They wanted to get done what God was known to do: save. Tell us what we have to do in order to survive. If this were not their motive Jesus would not have answered what he did.

“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:29 (Emphasis mine.)

Prior to this exchange Jesus was warning them they needed to stop plodding for food which perishes (their temporary life), and direct their efforts toward food (Himself) enduring to the everlasting one.

“Lord, make me know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am.” Psalm 39:4

I’m it. I’m your bread. I am how you survive, Jesus says without blushing, hesitation, or question. The bread I give (my life) feeds the world. “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” That is hard to swallow. This requires steel-toes. Especially when your stomach is growling most days.

Live on Me.

Eat what you’ve never really tried. Sit at the table of My extravagant love, and you won’t worry how you will survive ~ you will sing knowing you’ll never die.

“He who feeds on Me will live because of Me.” John 6:57

It is as simple and laborious as fine bread. Believing it, is the work.