Day 12 - Stop digging

Reading: John 6:25-40

The law of holes refers to a proverb which states that, “if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.” The meaning behind it is that if you find yourself in an untenable position, you should stop and change, rather than carry on making it worse.

Thankfully this crowd failed to observe this proverb, so we benefit from Jesus’ correction of their mistakes.

Mistake No 1: Materialism. Jesus corrected their notion that a full stomach is all they needed. As if to clear that up, they show us…

Mistake No 2: Self Sufficiency. They asked him, what must WE DO…”  Jesus explained that the only ‘work’ we must do is to believe in him. It’s evident that they still misunderstand, because their next question shows…

Mistake No 3: Believing in the wrong thing. The crowd, looking for a sign, were trying to compare Jesus to Moses.

So Jesus uses shock tactics to get them thinking. The manna (the food God provided for the Israelites each day wandering through the wilderness) was bread from heaven, but it wasn’t. Certainly, it had food value, but it wouldn’t sustain spiritual life.  That relied on the TRUE bread from Heaven, Jesus himself.  He is the only true source of spiritual nourishment.

Notice in verses 32-39 the number of times ‘from heaven’ appears.  Then count the number of times you can see a reference to the Father/he (who sent me)/he (has given me).

Jesus makes the point that our only source of spiritual life is himself, sent as a gift from heaven by the Father.  The crowds, like the Samaritan woman who misunderstood the water of life (John 4:15), were trapped into thinking about the material, the tangible, things that they could see and touch.  Jesus reminds us that while food (and water) are essentials, there is a spiritual dimension that is vital, and ‘seeing’ that through the eyes of faith has eternal rewards (verses 39-40).

Response

If I buy this, I’ll be content. I’ve done this… (a list of achievements) or I refuse to ask for help. Are you believing in yourself rather than walking daily with Jesus? Look to the Son. He’s enough.

Ian