Jill is a writer, speaker, pastor, mom of three, and author of five books. She likes to travel, grow flowers, cause trouble, and research her next project. She believes in Jesus, grace, restoration, kindness, justice, and dark chocolate. Her passion is partnering with the next generation of faith. She blogs at http://jillmrichardson.com/.
His words in John 6 promised they might never hunger again. Their response throughout the whole encounter? Free food I don't have to work for? Sign me up, Jesus! They saw their own imitation version of the Grand Canal – Jesus would effectively take away that curse on the first man to have to work and sweat for daily bread. It sounded like a great deal.
But Jesus held out the real thing. He offered the majesty of The curse reversal –the one that had to do with destroying sin and death. He offered His sacrificed body for a kingdom of new life. And they were happy with the quick show of bread crumbs.
I scorned replicas of the great European landmarks because I knew their counterparts. And settling for the fakes seemed as hollow and false as the rest of that strip of buildings when one had experienced the real thing.
But I wonder how often I settle for a replica of the life God has offered me. Sustenance for feast. Security for trust. Achievement for acceptance. Pleasure for joy. Existence for adventure. The fakes of this world are made to look very convincing. It takes knowing the real thing to know the facade when we see it.
Jesus, don't always give me bread. Don't always give me safety, security, and sustenance. Always, give me You. Nothing else will ever be real.
Copyright 2016 Jill Richardson. Used by permission.
