LISTEN TO JESUS!
LISTEN TO JESUS!
When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. —John 6:14-15
Imagine working two hundred days just to provide one meal for a group of people. That is what Jesus did for 5,000 men. If there were women and children there as well then that could have been 10-15,000 people. Still, think about that— you working two hundred days to feed people one time.
After the people saw this sign that Jesus did they recognized that “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” They knew of this prophet that Moses had spoken about — “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him” (Deuteronomy 18:15). Previously John the Baptist had been asked if he was “the prophet” (John 1:21) to which he said no.
As Peter was speaking to the Israelites he said, “For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you”’ (Acts 3:22). Before Stephen was executed by stoning he had said, “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people’” (Acts 7:37). Both were bearing witness that Jesus was this prophet.
So after this sign the people wanted to “take him by force to make him king.” Instead of listening to Him they wanted to act according to their desires for their purposes. Most would take and receive the kingship being offered to them, but Jesus was already King. His kingdom had a different focus and purpose that they did not understand. Jesus withdrew to a mountain by Himself.
Too many times people want to force their way onto what God is seeking to do and instead of listening to Him and working together they are at odds with Him. The first thing the people wanted after the sign was to “make Him king by force.” That was not the action they were to take. They were told to “listen to Him.” We are to listen to Him and then obey what He says. Too many times we are obeying what man says or we ourselves think and we do not take the time to listen to what He is saying to us. Listening to Him is what is most important. Are you taking the time to listen to Him or are you busy doing what you want to do? This was the command from our Father— “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:3). So… Listen to Him! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gjXBMC8-oM
Dear Father, oh that I would take that time to listen to You. May I forge ahead being and doing what You tell me to be and do. May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.