Can you remember the strange notice that was put above the head of Jesus when He was dying on the cross? It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." (John 19:19.) Although the Jewish leaders did not want to recognise Him as their king, yet Pilate, the Roman governor, would not change what he had written. (John 19:21.) Jesus was indeed a "King" who was rejected by His own people. (Acts 2:22-36.)
But earlier in Jesus' life why had He refused the earnest desire of some people to make Him their King? (verse 15.) Might He also refuse to be King of your life if you wanted Him to be?
Today's story from the Bible will answer these questions.
Over 5,000 hungry people had been miraculously fed by the Lord Jesus using one small boy's lunch. (John 6:8-13.) The satisfied crowd thought Jesus would be a great king for them to have. But Jesus knew they were only interested in Him because of the "gifts" - not because of the GIVER. He knew they would not be willing to have Him do for them what He had come from Heaven to do as their true Messiah. (verse 26-27.) He had come as their only Saviour - the only one who could bring them to God. (1st John 4:14. 1st Timothy 2:5-6.) But that was not why they wanted Jesus as their king! (John 3:16-19. 6:35-48.) They were content to believe that their priests and their religion would be able to make them right with God!
Do you think priests and religion can get you to God? or do you realise that only Jesus Christ can forgive your sins and bring you to God? (1st Peter 3:18.) Right now you should trust Him to be your Saviour, because He came from Heaven, died and rose again, to be able to do that for you. (Galatians 4:4-5.)
What the crowd wanted was a puppet king - not someone to obey and serve, but someone who would do the miracles they wanted. Jesus was NOT going to be a puppet king for them, so that is why these were people Jesus ignored!
He "withdrew again into the hills by himself," having sent His disciples off to go across the lake in a boat. (verse 15 & Mark 6:45-46.) Jesus continued on the hillside in prayer with His Father. Meanwhile "a strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough" on the lake for His disciples in the boat. "When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. But He said to them, 'It is I, don't be afraid.'"
When they realised that it was Jesus, and that He had come out on the water to rescue them, "they were wiling to take Him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading." (verses 18-21.) Jesus had not ignored their request! They had been rescued from drowning and death by trusting Jesus to do for them what He had come out on the water to do for them.
I hope YOU will realise what Jesus came down from Heaven to do for you, and that you will trust in Him to save you from your sin and the awful destruction of Hell. If you will trust in Him now you will be sure of arriving safely with God in Heaven at the end of life's journey. (John 5:24.)
Read the story about the people Jesus ignored, and about those He didn't, in John's Gospel chapter 6, verses 14-21.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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