John 6:61-65
Jesus sensed that his disciples were having a hard time with this and said, "Does this throw you completely? What would happen if you saw the Son of Man ascending to where he came from? The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don't make anything happen. Every word I've spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making. But some of you are resisting, refusing to have any part in this." (Jesus knew from the start that some weren't going to risk themselves with him. He knew also who would betray him.) He went on to say, "This is why I told you earlier that no one is capable of coming to me on his own. You get to me only as a gift from the Father."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Many people take life-saving medications every single day. It may be a blood pressure pill, or insulin for diabetes… an anti-convulsant, something to lower your cholesterol, or a drug that regulates your thyroid. Those with some form of cancer may take chemotherapy that causes cancer cells to shrink, decrease, or even disappear forever.
While these medications are working inside us, we cannot see them. We trust they are there, doing what we want them to do… but we don’t have any “physical” proof aside from feeling better, not having a heart attack or going into a diabetic coma - or suffering the effects of whatever the drugs are supposed to cure or control. In general, we don’t question this process… we merely accept it.
As our Great Physician, Jesus brings us the life-saving “medication” of God’s Holy Spirit. We can accept this gift and invite the Holy Spirit to live within us… but we have to fully trust that He will heal us and make us right. Just like our medications that we readily put into or on our bodies, we cannot see God at work through His Holy Spirit. But also like the medications, we can see the end results. What happens “in between” is a matter of faith and trust.
We seem more than willing to trust that a pill, injection or topical cream will help us feel better. So why can’t we trust that the “prescription” offered by Jesus Christ can heal us, too? Why do we resist the One who could possibly heal us of everything? Why is faith – the most important component of a Christian life – the most difficult concept to embrace? Most of us would never even think of skipping our daily medications, so why would we ever even consider a day without the Holy Spirit?
Isn’t it time to “let go and let God?” Isn’t it time to recognize that sheer muscle and will power will not get you into heaven? Only faith and trust in God - and salvation through the blood of Jesus - can accomplish this. Take the “medicine” that can bring Eternal life! Trust in God today… invite Jesus into your heart. If you have done so already, maybe you need to “refill your prescription” and renew your faith.
Now is the time for us to start to believe in the unseen… to trust that God is working in and through us – from the inside out… and offering us the best “medicine” we could ever hope to receive.
©2011 Debbie Robus
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