September 2024

Jesus’ Love Is More Than A Temporary Vibe Taken from a Red Rock News Article Rev. Dona Johnson | September 1, 2024 In our current culture, it seems to be the trend for people to seek out people, places and events where that can catch a good vibe. Cambridge Dictionary defines “vibe” as the mood of a place, situation, person, etc. and the way that they make you feel. Some people judge their relationships and the places they frequent by the number of good vibes they feel.       Jesus had just fed a huge crowd of over 5000, but after they pursued him for more food to fill their bellies, he now gives them a long lecture on the Bread of Heaven. And many in the crowd didn’t like his message. They found it weird— eating his flesh and drinking his blood. The multitude now is no longer getting good vibes from Jesus, and the crowd begins to thin out considerably.       Isn’t that how many of us respond to certain passages in the Bible. Some of Jesus’ teachings make us uneasy. They come too close to what we know is not right within us. Some of his teachings are so countercultural that to be brutally honest, they turn many people away or those who remain in the faith pick and choose the teachings they can tolerate.       At the end of John 6, the crowd’s vibe was fading fast. Some of the disciples were so offended, they turned back. Jesus knew where their hearts were. He explains to them that no one can come to God unless God enables them to do so. Think about that for a moment. So many Christians get this all wrong. God who is full of grace and mercy comes to us and gives us faith. We don’t acquire faith.  It is given to us. Time and time again, in our performance-based society, we supplant the free gift of faith with our need to achieve it and work for it—no pain, no gain. Some of us can give gifts and yet, we have a hard time receiving them. We feel unworthy. But self-judgment can paralyze us. It is God who gives us faith. Paul explains this very well in Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). Salvation is a free undeserved gift from God.       Now some of Jesus’ disciples did turn back. So, Jesus turns to the twelve, his inner circle and asks them, “Are you leaving me too?” Peter immediately responds, “Lord, where else could we go, who else offers the gift of eternal life? We believe you. You are the Holy One of God.”      There are times in the church, it happens in just about every congregation, where people leave because they disagree with a teaching or a doctrine, or a conflict arises, or people don’t get a good vibe anymore, maybe it’s the preaching or the music and they decide to leave the congregation—people rotate in and out churches all the time. There are times when people you once trusted in the faith, desert you and walk away. It is times like these where we have no other option but to respond like Peter, “Where else do I have to go Lord—you are the only one that truly matters.”      So, often we get fooled or caught off guard. Sometimes we place too much faith in the good vibes, people’s personalities and credentials. We place pastors and leaders on pedestals rather than placing our faith totally in the one who gives us faith. People and institutions can disappoint us. But Jesus, doesn’t disappoint. He is more than a temporary vibe. His love is eternal. His love will never desert you nor will he ever abandon you! Prayer: Lord, help me to seek and place you first in my life above ‘all’ else. I cannot to this without your help. Jesus, help me draw closer to you. Amen.