"and there he sat with his disciples..."

John 6:1-6

1.” After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2. Then a great multitude followed him, because they saw his signs (miracles) which he performed on those who were diseased. 3. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

4. Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. 5.Then Jesus lifted up his eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?’

6. But this he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.”

Notice in verse 2: “Then a great multitude followed him, because they saw his signs which he performed on those who were diseased.” One of the last things Jesus said before He ascended was, “these signs shall follow them that believe.” When God’s people walk in faith and reach out in faith to those in need……amazing and miraculous things happen: the lost are saved, chains of addiction are broken, sick bodies are healed, the fallen find forgiveness, fractured and fragmented families are put back together.

God’s church must be a church that moves in the miraculous; social programs and religious groups abound…. but, let the church be the church! May we provide the best facilities we can afford; may our messages and music be well prepared and presented, may we provide a myriad of ministries that meet the needs of today’s family, and may we be as technologically relevant as we can afford. We must do all those things AND do everything we can to see salvations, healings, deliverances, and miracles take place.

I like what is stated in verse 3: “And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.” What an awesome experience it must have been for the disciples to sit with Jesus. How we need to learn to just…. “sit” with Jesus. We all have responsibilities. Each day we find ourselves busy with the Master’s business. There are calls, there is counseling and the calendar…. meetings and appointments. We must…. we must make time to “sit” with Jesus. We need to do this for us! The problems and pressures of ministry are many…. but if I can sit with Him awhile and read His Word and pray-something happens inside my spirit man that inspires me and infuses me with new strength.

In Galatians, Chapter 5, we are exhorted to “walk in the Spirit”. As odd as it may sound, “sitting” is part of our “walk.” “Sitting” with Him requires discipline. Our mind races ahead to the undone things of the day. The flesh wants to get started on the “to do list” but, the Spirit bids us “sit.”

Whatever you do this week…. with all the going and doing …. take time to “sit” with Him!

“They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

(Isaiah 40:31)