Turn the world upside down

Jesus taught with authority.  Of those that heard, some were astonished only to be angered later by Jesus’ statements equating Himself with God.  Others would believe, follow and be transformed.  This is the way it has always been; you either believe and commit, or you question, deny and walk away.  In John 6:27 Jesus tells the people, “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”  Their response is, “What do we need to do?”  Jesus’ response wasn’t a task they were to do, but instead, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”  After all that Jesus had already done (remember these are the people He had fed with five loaves and two fish just the day before) they ask for a sign, like the manna in their desert wandering.  

Jesus uses this image of bread to share with them that they must “take” The Bread of Life,” who is the One that came down from heaven (manna came from heaven, too).  And on top of this, He is this One; He is the Bread of Life!  So to this point they have been astonished by the signs and teachings of Jesus, but with this statement that He is the One who has come down from heaven, they are now angry.  In fact, jumping ahead to John 6:66, there were those who had been following Him up to this point, but now they walk away and will no longer follow Him.  The signs and wonders were enough to capture their imagination and even for some to think Him the Prophet that is to come. But when it comes to entrusting all your life, committing to Him entirely about all of life, well, that is a “bridge too far” and they walk away.  This is the same thing that happens many times as we share the gospel.  People see the life change in someone and want to know what happened, but when it comes to believing themselves, “that’s not for me” or “maybe some other time (that never comes).”  Far too often, what is wanted is the signs, physical provisions and blessings of Jesus, but not a relationship that makes us dependent upon Him.  

There is another response in the following verses, John 6:67-69: “Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”  But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God.”  Imagine that scene.  Big crowds the day before (5,000-plus) and they come back to start the day, and by day’s end we are 12?!  This helps us understand the meaning of “broad is the way that leads to destruction, and narrow is the way that leads to eternal life.”  In fact, one of the 12 is Judas Iscariot, who will walk away and betray Jesus in days to come.  It wasn’t the signs or wonders Jesus performed that captivated these men; it was the authority and power of His words that speak of how to have eternal life.  These men follow Jesus, stumble at times, but once they see the resurrected Jesus and then have the Holy Spirit come at Pentecost, there was no stopping them.  

In Acts 17:6, those angered by the transformation in their town make the following accusation about the Christians there: “Those who have turned the world upside down have come here, too.”  When Jesus said all authority was given to Him in heaven and earth in Matthew 28:18, He was letting them know, and letting us know, that we are operating in His authority to share the good news of the gospel that is the only means of salvation.  His authority is greater than any governmental official, any court of man or any lie of the enemy.  Let us be confident in His authority to represent the King of Kings and Lord of Lords as we serve and build up the Kingdom of God.

So are you simply astonished, or are you energized and empowered by the authority of Jesus Christ?  Are you ready to be part of “turning the world upside down again” — for Christ?

Pressing On…

Ron Tipton, Senior Pastor