Strange Encounters

By Pastor Alex Ruelo

Different people encounter God in very different ways. We all have our different stories to tell. John 6:8-12 says, “Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.””

Jesus fed 5000 with 2 loaves of bread and 5 pieces of fish. That is a strange encounter in itself. But verse 53 says, “Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” Is this cannibalism in its true form? Sometimes, there are teachings that need a deeper sense of intimacy with Jesus for man to understand.

Be ready to receive what you ask for. People ask for so many things from God and when He answers, they do not like His answer. Understand that you will not always get what you ask for. Expect the unexpected. God will not just lay things easily at your feet.

God only asks that you believe in Him. Nothing else. John 6:29 says, “Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”” It’s that easy.

Our assurance is in the finished work of Jesus Christ. John 6:39-40 says, “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” Jesus finished everything. We are assured of victory because He has already won all the battles we will face.

Accepting Christ is far better than receiving His blessings. John 6:41-44 says, “At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” Everybody receives blessings, good or evil. The only difference is that believers have Christ. Material things will disappear. Only our belief will lead us to eternal life.

What are we supposed to do?

Continue to believe. John 6:47 says, “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.” We need to continue believing everyday.

See beyond the surface. Ephesians 6:2 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” We are not fighting against flesh and blood. We should not only feed our body but feed our soul. We need to see beyond what our eyes can see and what our ears can hear but also be discerning of everything around us.

Set your eyes in eternity. Matthew 6:4 says, “Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” You have to be in heaven to get your reward. And God will reward you for the good things that you do. You have to be there to get it.

Everything you do for Jesus is not in vain.

Eyes on Jesus. Audience of One.