May 10

John 6:28-29

Then they asked him "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this:  to believe in the one he has sent."

As I read this passage I found myself going back and remembering many traditions I grew up with.  These traditions were passed on through generations, mostly by story telling.  Much like the game telephone, I'm sure they got lost in translation, but they were traditions none the less.  Keeping this mind, I realized that the religious Jews of Jesus' day had more than just the Law of Moses to keep; they also had centuries of customs, traditions, and rabbinical commandments to observe.  The only religion they knew was one of works, and so of course they wondered what new works might be required by the teachings of Jesus. They didn't understand that the relationship they searched for between themselves and God had nothing to do with works.  Perhaps the same is true for us. As busy as we get during our day, there is still no "work" we can do except live out of a relationship of being completely yielded to God with complete trust that we are in His will and are living out the purpose He has for us while we spend time here. -- that is all He requires. As we do this, the Holy Spirit guides us into the paths of God's plan for us so that He can do His works through us.  This is where the Pharisees missed the connection.  Perhaps they misinterpreted the Genesis 15:6 scripture that was fulfilled in James 2:23 that said it was because Abraham believed the Lord that it was credited to him as righteousness. Everything hinges on our believing.  In my quiet time this morning, God put on my heart the word "faith".  My prayer today is that we all have eyes that see and ears that hear, and that we go through our day knowing there is nothing more we can do to please God our Father, except believe and trust in His Son Jesus.


Randi