Listen here: “Provision“
Exodus 16:9-15; John 6:24-35
It’s important to see the larger context of the Bible stories that we read together in our worship because there is an always-present-danger of taking things out of context, which leads to false conclusions.
- The point of the story is that the Lord’s provision kept them from starving. Nonetheless, the people grew tired of it.
- It wasn’t the first time the people had grumbled, and it wouldn’t be the last. As the journey in the wilderness continued, the grumbling increased.
- Grumbling is a mark of faithlessness; gratitude is a mark of faithfulness.
- They were happy to do whatever was necessary for them to achieve salvation.
- Tell us what to do, Jesus, and we’ll do it! We’ll do whatever is necessary to receive eternal life! And they were serious!
- They were ready to work for a gift that had already been given.
- They were mistaking the gift with a reward.
- It’s like the wife says, I love you. And the husband says, I’ll do whatever it takes to earn your love. The problem is that the husband hasn’t heard or believed what the wife said. She already loves him.
- Sunday morning messages are available on the website (www.stpaulsmarietta.org/audio). Tell your friends.