Josh1Eight

Scripture: John 6:14-15 14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!”15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself." Observations: When the crowds saw Jesus multiply the bread and fish that fed 5000 people, not only were they impressed, they recognized Him as One who was surely sent from God. While their assessment was correct, their following conclusion was flawed. They reasoned that if Jesus was from God then logically He would make the best and most likely candidate to become the next King of Israel. But Jesus refused to play to the approval of the crowds and use His popularity as a means of personal gain. Instead He chose, in spite of the favor of the people to follow God's purpose rather than His own by walking away from a very tempting earthly opprtunity. Had he allowed the crowd to make Him an earthly king rather than a heavenly Kin...

Scripture: John 3:27-30 "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less." Observations: Before Jesus ever became anything significant in the eyes of man, the one who enjoyed the spotlight before Him was a man named John the Baptist. John was consumed with an overwhelming desire for God and His Kingdom to come on earth. He eagerly anticipated the day when God would redeem mankind and save them from their sins. His job was to call the world to turn away from their sins and get things right with God. At the height of his ministry, along came Jesus who stole the show so to speak the moment John baptized Him in the Jordan River...