Feb 6, 2017

A daily devotional through the recorded words Jesus spoke while He walked alongside us. Our website http://alittlewalkwithgod.com.

1. Thanks for joining me today for "A Little Walk with God." I'm your host Richard Agee.
2. Cannibalism is one of the most taboo practices throughout the civilized world. We revolt at even the thought of the action. What would you do if Jesus hinted at the practice when He talked to you? That’s just what some of those around Him were thinking one day.
3. Scripture
   1. John 6:43-51
   2. Jesus: Stop grumbling under your breaths. If the Father who sent Me does not draw you, then there’s no way you can come to Me. But I will resurrect everyone who does come on the last day. Among the prophets, it’s written, “Everyone will be taught of God.” So everyone who has heard and learned from the Father finds Me. No one has seen the Father, except the One sent from God. He has seen the Father. I am telling you the truth: the one who accepts these things has eternal life. I am the bread that gives life. Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and they died as you know. But there is another bread that comes from heaven; if you eat this bread, you will not die. I am the living bread that has come down from heaven to rescue those who eat it. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever. The bread that I will give breathes life into the cosmos. This bread is My flesh.
4. Devotional
   1. If you studied much history about the settlement of the west, you’ve heard of the Donner Party. George Donner led 89 pioneers out of Springfield, Illinois in April 1846 on their way to California. They took a new, supposedly shorter route scouted by a guide that led them into some pretty treacherous terrain. The party became trapped in the high Sierra Mountains in late October due to heavy snowfall and the legends of the day continue that the party survived only by resorting to cannibalism. They finally arrived in California the next year.
   2. Why bring up the Donner Party?
      1. We still remember their means of survival 160 years later.
      2. We view cannibalism as a most heinous crime
      3. Jeffrey Dahmer, Peter Bryan, Ed Gein (serial killer which inspired the character for Silence of the Lamb
      4. Wikipedia 50 reports between April 2000 and August 2016, 28 since 2010
      5. We’re revolted by the thought
   3. Imagine the reaction when Jesus gave these words, “Anyone who eats this bread will live forever. The bread that I will give breathes life into the cosmos. This bread is my flesh.
      1. Sounded like cannibalism to those who heard His message on the surface
      2. Without listening to all He had to say and trusting Him, His message caused revolt
      3. The world hated His message when they thought He talked to eating His flesh
      4. How would you react?
   4. We live on this side of the cross and understand the symbolism Jesus shared with those who heard His words that day. We understand He gave Himself for us and we partake in the remembrance of Jesus’ death through the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, Communion, the Eucharist, whatever name you choose to call that special remembrance of God’s sacrifice for us. Can you understand why the world, without faith, hates us? Can you begin to see why non-believers revolt at the mention of Jesus’ name?
      1. Never condoned the practice of cannibalism
      2. Must understand He wants us to consume Him, the word, God’s message, the reason for His coming, devour everything He brings to us
      3. Become a spiritual cannibal
   5. Until we believe that Jesus’ words are true and draw close to Him in faith, we will not enjoy the life eternal He promises. Until we begin to consume Him in every part of our life, we cannot enjoy all He has in store for us.
5. If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don't, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for "A Little Walk with God."