What Have You Done For Me Lately

In sport there is a saying, “What have you done for me lately”. It may have been popularized by Janet Jackson’s awarding winning song of the same name back in 1986. The phrase correctly captures a human condition we all can suffer from. At the first we are excited about the new job, new car, new boyfriend, even a new spouse. But then it gets old. The excitement wears off. Reality sets in and life returns to the old boring routine. It is often used in sport, when the superstar becomes normal, the lustre of his performance is tarnished, and he is just like every other player on the field – ordinary. In the age of adrenaline fixes, high octane lifestyle, and supercharged experiences, “what have you done for me lately” becomes a mantra we live by. Interestingly, it was the exact same situation in Jesus’ day.

Jesus burst on the scene as a superstar. He healed the sick, raised the dead, turned water into wine, He was the real deal. The miracles he did were not the slight of hand version, but guys who were paralyzed for 38 years are now walking around. One time he interrupted a funeral procession by touching the coffin and the dead man came back to life. The funeral lunch became a resurrection feast.

Because of the miracles he was doing, huge crowds were following Jesus. They were desperate people, hanger-on’s, and thrill seekers, all hoping to benefit by being near him. (John 6:2) And benefit they did. Jesus regaled them with his teaching. Then he miraculously fed them (5000 plus women and children) with only 5 small loaves of bread and two fish (John 6:9). At the end, there were still 12 baskets of food left over. [sidebar] Jesus always gives more than enough. The crowd was truly in the palm of Jesus’ hand. Notice John 6:14-15 “After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." 15  Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.”

But then something very interesting happens. Jesus begins to put demands on his disciples. He requires something of them. No longer are they to be spectators, or even crazed fans of him and his performance. No, they are to begin to identify with him. Become one in purpose and life with him. But even more than that, Jesus is asking them to receive Him as their one and only source of inner fulfillment. He declares, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35) Okay, so far this is palatable. But then he says, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” (John 6:53) Whoa. Now you have gone to far, was the sentiment of these fickle fans. Verse 66 says, “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”

Are we like that. As long as Jesus is doing what we want, we are a fan. But the moment he demands something of us that we don’t like, don’t understand, or is difficult to carry out; are we out of there? Is this your refrain, “Jesus, what have you done for me lately?”

It is when we identify with Jesus, in good times and bad times, in excitement and the mundane, in the peaks and valleys of our existence;  we will find the truth that we will “never hunger or thirst again”.

I invite you to make Jesus your very life - your soul satisfying existence, so you can enjoy a spirit filled and a spirit led lifestyle.

This Sunday, I am continuing the sermon series from the Gospel of John called Jesus in Human terms. I will be speaking on “I Am The Bread Of Life”. (Not me, but Jesus)  Come along, it will encourage your soul, uplift your spirit and help you in your daily life.

Sunday Celebration

We are meeting in person on Sundays at 10:30am, as well as on Facebook Live on the Kootenay Christian Fellowship Church FB Page, for those not feeling comfortable attending a public gathering. We will use best practices and accepted protocols to ensure a safe environment for all worshippers gathering with us. Our service will be short and there will be no coffee or food offered at this time. After service is over, we invite you to socialize outside the building.

We are also on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNT9GnRlN0fPZdvqmaUV_LA

Please subscribe to our channel while you are there.

Looking forward to seeing you all in person or on Facebook Live on the Kootenay Christian Fellowship Church FB Page. https://www.facebook.com/kootenaychristianfellowshipnelsonbc

Jim Reimer, Pastor

September 24, 2020