NT40 Convictions for John 5-6

As I continue reading through the NT, I marvel daily how each day seems to be the "greatest section of the NT"! And so I again marvel at John chapters 5 and 6. Here's one conviction for each of our reflections:

1. About God: In John 6:42 the Jews complain, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he say, 'I came down from heaven?' When we read this today, we easily understand that one must harmonize the events and characteristics of the eternal divine son with the incarnate son. And when we harmonize we understand that Jesus speaks of himself while in a temporary humbled state of enfleshment (for us, btw). That's why Jesus seems both dependent upon the Father and imbued with full authority all at the same time. These Jews were blind because they failed to harmonize. They seized upon data selectively. That's also what Arians do (e.g. Jehovah's Witnesses).

2. About NT Christianity: At the end of John 6, Jesus lays out "hard teaching" concerning his flesh and blood ("unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.") Many of his disciples even turned back from following Jesus. Peter, when asked by Jesus if he wants also to leave, responds, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God." It was difficult for the disciples to maintain their loyalty to Jesus as the mainstream religious leaders around them were vigorously denouncing Him. 

3. DWIS: "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." John 6:27. Today I will work harder for the food that endures to eternal life. I will spend extra time in prayer and in preparation for Bible studies to help others later today.