“No one can
come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him up at
the last day. It is written in the prophets: ‘They will be taught by God.’
Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.” (John
6:44-45 NIV)
Benjamin had just
left the Synagogue after morning prayers. He had asked the rabbi certain
questions about the Messiah that troubled his spirit. The rabbi finally
admitted that he did not know. So, Benjamin worked his way through the crowded
street almost lost in his thoughts.
left the Synagogue after morning prayers. He had asked the rabbi certain
questions about the Messiah that troubled his spirit. The rabbi finally
admitted that he did not know. So, Benjamin worked his way through the crowded
street almost lost in his thoughts.
Since Benjamin had
begun to read the Law and the Prophets, he had developed a great hunger for
more understanding. And he had begun a quest for the answers to the issues that
he had learned from the Scriptures. Most of his friends and family simply said,
“Don’t question such things. Who knows what they mean? Only Adonai, bless
his name, has the answers.” And all
his questions really boiled down to one: who is the Messiah and how can we know
him?
begun to read the Law and the Prophets, he had developed a great hunger for
more understanding. And he had begun a quest for the answers to the issues that
he had learned from the Scriptures. Most of his friends and family simply said,
“Don’t question such things. Who knows what they mean? Only Adonai, bless
his name, has the answers.” And all
his questions really boiled down to one: who is the Messiah and how can we know
him?
Suddenly Benjamin
was jostled out of his reverie. It wasn’t merely the crowd around him that had
gotten his attention. Deep in his spirit he heard the voice that had been
driving his quest say, “Stop and listen.” Without knowing how it had
happened, Benjamin found himself in a crowd surrounding a young rabbi. He had
heard this rabbi was from Nazareth and had done miracles. Several in the crowd
complained because the rabbi wouldn’t do a miracle. Benjamin thought this was
strange since no one ever demanded any other rabbi to do a miracle.
was jostled out of his reverie. It wasn’t merely the crowd around him that had
gotten his attention. Deep in his spirit he heard the voice that had been
driving his quest say, “Stop and listen.” Without knowing how it had
happened, Benjamin found himself in a crowd surrounding a young rabbi. He had
heard this rabbi was from Nazareth and had done miracles. Several in the crowd
complained because the rabbi wouldn’t do a miracle. Benjamin thought this was
strange since no one ever demanded any other rabbi to do a miracle.
As the young rabbi
talked, his words began to answer the questions in Benjamin’s heart. Benjamin
realized that his quest was one that the Father had placed in his heart. He
realized that God had been teaching him so no one else could answer his
questions. Scripture was the voice of the Father drawing him to the Messiah.
And as he listened to the young rabbi, faith flooded his heart and soul.
talked, his words began to answer the questions in Benjamin’s heart. Benjamin
realized that his quest was one that the Father had placed in his heart. He
realized that God had been teaching him so no one else could answer his
questions. Scripture was the voice of the Father drawing him to the Messiah.
And as he listened to the young rabbi, faith flooded his heart and soul.
Dear Father, thank
you for drawing us to Christ. Empower us with enduring faith that enables us to
listen and learn from Christ. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for drawing us to Christ. Empower us with enduring faith that enables us to
listen and learn from Christ. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today listening and learning,
courageous today listening and learning,