Hiding in Plain Sight: Thirst

Today’s post is part of a series to help us take what we learn on Sunday into the rest of the week. These posts summarize the main points from the week’s sermon and include questions for continued reflection and prayer. The posts in this series are written by members of our church’s Adult Christian Formation team.

 

This past Sunday our service theme was “God is Enough.” Pastor Bobby continued our Hiding in Plain Sight series by looking at John 7:25-39. In this passage we see that Jesus addresses the problem of longing which all humanity experiences. He offers himself as the solution to quench our thirst. What keeps us from going to Jesus?

In John 7, the people treat Jesus as one from below, rather than from above. They seek him out to meet their needs, hoping he will cure illness, provide reform and revolution, and ultimately resolve their problems. They do not seek him out as the ultimate answer, but rather as one who will give them their desires. When he does not respond as they want him to, they grumble. This reminds us of Israel’s history, particularly in the wilderness when their grumbling was a declaration that God is not enough. Throughout his gospel, John shows again and again that Jesus is God in the flesh. But in this passage, the people refuse to acknowledge where Jesus comes from and approach him as a mere prophet.

Jesus responds by trying to recalibrate the people’s expectations and shift their perspective to the real issue, man’s broken and sinful state. The truth is that the longings we have can only be satisfied in Him. Jesus isn’t the end to a means, he’s the end itself. John carefully points out that Jesus invites the people to find their full satisfaction in him during the Feast of Tabernacles. This points forward to the great banquet which we read of in Revelation. Jesus gives himself completely to us, so that we can join him at the table and be truly satisfied.

Questions for Prayer and Reflection:

  1. How do you view Jesus? What are specific areas in which you may be using him as a means to an end?
  2. What does it mean to view Jesus as above? Recall Pastor Bobby’s illustration of the maze. How does that connect to your life and decisions this week?
  3. Pray and ask God to show you times this week in which you are declaring that he’s not enough. (Hint: grumbling is usually a good sign).
  4. Reflect on God’s love for you today and think about what it cost Jesus to bring you to the table. Praise him today!
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