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Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

Why do we follow Jesus? Is it because of what He can give us, or is it because of who He is? We can fall into the trap of thinking that as we follow Jesus more closely, all our troubles will fall away, or we will get the things we want like a (better) spouse, more compliant children, healing from sickness, or a (better) job. You fill in the blank of what you want… now ask yourself the question “if I don’t get this, do I still trust Jesus?” They wanted to follow Jesus because He had given them bread, maybe we follow Jesus because He’s already headed us once, perhaps He’s already helped us with our marriage… but what if this time is different?

Don’t work for the little things we desire… this life is short, invest in eternity. That doesn’t mean our desires here are (necessarily) wicked, that just means we put Jesus first. Believe in Him.

wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.

If we share the light with everyone, most people won’t receive it. We know that the path is wide that leads to destruction, and maybe that’s why we sometimes don’t share as we should. But we need to! When someone won’t listen to what you say, they aren’t really rejecting you, they’re rejecting Jesus. Don’t take it personally, even if they intend it that way. “Shake of the dust” Taylor Swift was right! Never close the door for them, but sometimes we just need to move along, there are always more people who need the love of Jesus.

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

How many times do we think to ourselves “someone should do something…” or “my church really needs a ministry that does…” well guess what… YOU are ‘someone.’ Jesus was teaching, His disciples weren’t ready to do that themselves, and it started to get late. “Jesus, you need to do something!” was their response, and He basically said “well, why do I have you here?” We are the instruments God uses to accomplish His will in the world. The church is the answer for the world. We have been given this ministry of reconciliation. The next time we think “someone should…” let’s remember we are someone. Your pastor, your Sunday School teacher, your deacons, your momma, can’t do everything… we’re all in this together! God has given you everything you need to do everything you’re called to do, and that’s an encouraging idea.

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus was walking on the water, He’s different than other teachers. Not only did Peter believe in Jesus, he wanted to be like Him. That’s what a disciple should do, step out on the water! Yes, Peter fell short, he began do doubt, and so will you, yet he did the right thing. We need to GET OUT OF THE BOAT. Think about how Jesus would respond to people, and you do it! Peter didn’t doubt Jesus, He was standing (ON THE WATER!) right in front of him. No, Peter doubted himself, but Jesus didn’t. Jesus called Peter to come to Him. Don’t doubt your ability to follow Jesus, because we don’t follow Jesus in our own strength, we have the Holy Spirit. It’s the Spirit of Christ who lives in your heart, trust Him, don’t doubt yourself. Get up and go… you CAN do it!

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

As a Christian, you have nothing to fear. Not even death can rob us of our security, we follow the one who has conquered death. The worst thing our enemy can do is to end our life, yet, to live is Christ, to die is gain! We need to be shouting the gospel from the rooftops. God cares for you, yes, you! There is no one to small, there are no insignificant people, you matter to Him! Trust that truth and let that give you the confidence to remove all fear.