August 3rd, 20

Hidden in Plain Sight

Today’s readings are II Kings 22, II Chronicles 34 and John 6.  We are reading from the New Living Translation.

D t?  For generations the Word of God was lost to God’s people in the ruins - hidden in plain sight.  It was lost right where you would expect to find it - right in the temple.  But no one was listening or looking. King Josiah would eventually find it.

In our reading in John today we see that once again the Living Word is right where you would expect to find Him, there among his people.  And yet he seems to be hidden from them, right in plain sight.  They still don’t see Him.  They had just been watching these amazing miracles - the feeding of multitudes.  And these, right on the heels of a host of other miracles.  These miraculous events were all pointing to the fact that God was with them - the Living Word, in the flesh.  And yet they still didn’t see Him.

The Living Word can be lost in the midst of our ruins - the ruins of our past, our sinful, self-indulgent lives.  The Living Word can get lost, even among God’s people.  We can lose sight of Him, right in plain sight.

Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” (Jn 6:26-27 NLT)

In effect He is saying, you’re only focussing on the things  that are about you.  If you take your eyes off of you for a moment, you might be able to see who it is that is standing before you, the One that can satisfy you, the one that is THE Bread of Life.  Your mind is fixed on those loaves that will fill your belly. But I am right here! -the One that will truly fill your life - I am the Bread of Life that comes down from Heaven.  If you take your eyes off of you and stop trusting and relying only on yourself, and look to me, you will find what you’re looking for.

Some people are lost and not finding what they’re looking for. But Peter, when he first saw the miracle in his boat - all those fish after a long night of catching nothing - fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Lk 5:8 NIV)  And we see Josiah, when he finds the Living Word, he tears his clothes and cries out to God for mercy. (II Kings 22:11)

How about you? Are you seeing the Word of God that is right before you, no longer hidden in plain sight?  Are you seeing the God who provides for you, that is merciful towards you, who has come down from Heaven to satisfy you with his Bread?  

May you see the Bread that has been hidden in plain sight.  Take, eat and be satisfied. 

You are loved!