The Crowds Thin. As you have been continuing your journey through John, have you noticed that Jesus is getting increasingly controversial? Why do you think that is? Have you also noticed the crowds getting increasingly hostile? The crowds are thinning and the true followers of Jesus are becoming fewer.
It’s interesting to see all the different reasons why Jesus captured people’s attention. The vast majority of Jesus-followers loved Him for what He could do for them---feeding and healing them. John tells us the crowds were captivated by the signs and wonders and clamored for more. Like many today, they missed the point of what Jesus was all about. Their fascination with the miraculous eventually led to disappointment. As soon as Jesus began to call them to a deeper level of discipleship, John says that many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Jesus said that only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign.
Think About It. What is it that you really want from Jesus? Like the crowds in John, I have a tendency sometimes to think of God in terms of what he can do for me. Even my prayers can reflect that---ending up in such shallow categories of “requests” and “praises”. I pray when I need something from God and praise him when I get what I asked for. I seem to be driven to me knees in crisis but pray less when things are going well. Today, spend some time in prayer just talking to God like you would a friend. In fact, in not too many chapters we will hear Jesus utter these words to his true followers: I call you friends. Think of it—a personal friendship with the creator of the universe!
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