John 6:60-71; 1 Chronicles 25-26; Zechariah11

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63 NKJV)

Jesus made it clear that His previous comments about eating His flesh and drinking His blood were meant in a spiritual way. The Spirit gives life and working toward the flesh is ultimately worthless. Jesus said it another way when He said, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (e.g. Mark 8:36) His message was that while they were following Him around because He gave them food, He had something more important for them than food: the Spirit of God. The Jews were so focused on the physical, outward trappings of religion and the physical miracles that the Messiah might perform that they didn’t recognize it when they were slapped in the face with true spiritual teaching that brought life. 

We aren’t much different today. Christianity has become a way to be physically healed of any and all problems, or perhaps it’s the way to financial prosperity. Too often we seek to manipulate God to get the physical results we desire while missing the depth of His spiritual goodness for us. Our rewards are no longer in heaven, they’re in our bank account. The words of Jesus are worth so much more. They strengthen our spirit to give us the power to overcome the spiritual evil in this world and they compel us to care for those around us with the love of God. Jesus spoke of those who do things for earthly recognition when He said that they got their reward on earth, but, as He said here, that profits nothing. God’s truth gives us a vibrant, fulfilling life that lasts forever.

Lord, speak life to me and let me hear and absorb Your words. Let Your spirit flow through me so that others will experience that same fellowship with You.