Sunday, May 2, 2004 Communion Dedication - Baldwin Christian Church

John 6:1-2

Chapter 5 takes place at Jerusalem, almost exactly two years before the Last Supper, and Jesus is at the pool of Bethesda (house of mercy), where a great multitude of physically handicapped people gathered. At certain times of the year, it was believed that an angel would roil the waters up, and the first person to step in would be healed. Jesus approached a man who'd been afflicted with an infirmity, unable to walk for the past 38 years. Nobody would help this man get to the pool when the waters began to churn, so he was never able to be the first one in. Out of the multitude of afflicted gathered around this pool, Jesus singled one man out and healed him (took up his bed, and walked). Chapter 5 is all about the legalistic fallout from this Sabbath-day healing. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He's willing to take the heat and brave the risks of searching for that one sheep that is lost. Because the news of His healing power is spreading, chapter 6 begins with a multitude searching for this one man, Jesus.

John 6:1-2 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is [the sea] of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

We still love to be entertained with "miracles." How else can you explain the success of magic shows in Vegas, or TV evangelists who perform sensational "live" faith healings? Here on this mountainside we'll find at least four kinds of Jesus followers:

The majority of these folks following Jesus was simply curious. They were people who...

a. had seen or heard about this Man who performed healings and miracles.
b. of course, wanted to see more of these miracles.
c. anticipated seeing more, and that was their main reason for following Him.

As in most gatherings where Jesus is, it’s very likely that there were subsets of these curious onlookers. Those who we might say were in that 100th sheep category. They were curious, and...

a.) indeed present, but felt like they were always on the outside looking in.
b.) searching for answers.
c.) unsure of their real reason for being there, but...
d.) hopeful that they would find what they were looking for.

The second kind of follower can be found in the young lad that lost his lunch. Someone who...

a. might very well have been included in the first group, but...
b. became set apart from the first group, through his willingness to give unselfishly of all that he had.
c. through simple obedience he was included in, and became a part of something much greater than himself.

The third group gathered together with Jesus on this beautiful spring day could actually be called disciples, or students. They were those who...

a. listened intently to Jesus' teaching, studying His every Word.
b. not hanging around just to see Him heal and perform miracles.
c. unable to swallow His teaching when it became difficult.
d. stuck with Jesus through this day, but fell away from Him the next.

The fourth group was students who didn't always believe everything their Teacher was teaching them, but obeyed Him anyways. Obedience is what qualified them as 'able to be used' in the performance of miracles. Although we sometimes do use their own words against them in a critical way, it would be hard to prove that this small group of twelve was following Jesus because of the "magic" show. Their own behavior would prove that they weren't seeking out miracles. They were becoming useful instruments of the Lord's ministry, and miracles begin to happen when you do this; when you seek Jesus for the right reasons, He will use you in ways you never imagined, and it allows miracles, both great and small, to be a part of your daily life. Above and beyond all the outward miracles that Jesus performed, there remains one miracle that nobody understood at the time. That miracle happened on the cross and in the tomb, and the world could finally begin to understand the significance of the “bread of life.” That miracle is the one that we can all be a part of now, through our remembrance of His sacrifice. You and I can have communion with God (right now ) because and only because He...

...so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

and because He...

...sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:17)

The very name, "Jesus Christ," means "Savior." No, He did not come into the world to live as one of us that He might condemn us, and He certainly didn't come into the world to put on a magic show. He came to us so that we may live.