After Jesus had fed 5,000 people, He went to the other side of the lake. Some followed Him because they were curious. Some followed because they believed He was someone special and wanted to hear more of His teaching. But some followed because He had provided food.
Jesus knew their hearts. He told them, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life...”
That’s when 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.”*
What was Jesus saying? Our work is to “believe in the One He [God] has sent”? Amazing. Our work is laid out for us: to believe - in Jesus.
But before we dismiss this as something too easy or something we’ve already done, let’s look a little closer at what Jesus was really saying.
To believe in something is to commit to it, to have faith (trust) in it, to entrust ourselves to it. To believe in Jesus therefore is not a one-time choice we make, but a continual process or “work”. We continually choose to entrust our everyday lives to Him. Our daily “work” then is to allow Jesus to be part of our lives, whatever we do, wherever we go.
Later alone with His disciples He told them to “remain” in Him. Another version says “abide in”. One version says “live with”. That’s what we must learn to do - live with Jesus.**
We must recognize that He is with us always. He wants to be in our thoughts. He wants to guide our steps. Like a close friend, He wants us to talk with Him and share our lives with Him.
What must we do to do the works God requires?
Live with Jesus.
*John 6:27-29 (NIV)
**John 15:1-11 (NIV)
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