Furthering Thoughts for June 7th

Today I went to a place that I haven’t been to in a long time. With a light lunch, my stomach was starting to grumble and by the late afternoon I was hungry. So I asked Abe, “let’s try the Hat”. He was a bit hesitant as he never likes to try anything new. “But you will love the pastrami..and the chili fries…oh my”. After a couple more tantalizing descriptions of their savory goodness, he agreed and we turned into the driveway of “The Hat” in Simi Valley.

The last time I went to the Hat was 2006 in Brea, CA. All I remember was the huge portions and the slow and plodding journey through the mass consumption of food. And today was no different. Pastrami and chili fries, what could go wrong? Abe and I tried our best, but wow..we could not finish the mound of food. The aftermath was brutal. We were slumped in our seats, and we knew that we ate too much.

And so it is with life. We are always trying to consume more and more in hopes of finding satisfaction. Whether it is “The Hat”, our career, material possessions, earthly security, reputation, relationships etc, how we are constantly tempted by the quest of finding satisfaction in this world.

As we live in the United States, we are inundated by all these things and soon enough they become objects of our satisfaction. That is, “If I had this (fill in the blank) my life would be complete”.

Yet we read today in John 6, “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst“. Similar words in Revelation 21, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more…to the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment“.

Indeed, Jesus is our satisfaction. In our sinful nature, we need to hear this time and time again because the evil foe will attempt to turn us away from the object of our true satisfaction. “Satan stirs us to chase food that perishes, and we’re all guilty of heeding his voice and devouring the wrong foods”

“We can only repent and hear again Jesus’ promise “whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst”. Retreating the word, there we find our almighty refuge that directs us to our perfect satisfaction.

Satisfaction is Jesus. As He lived the perfect life only to take upon the sin of the world and become sin for us [2Cor5:21]. And by His death and resurrection, He is delivered to you the greatest satisfaction: eternal life, forgiveness and salvation.

Satisfaction is Holy Baptism. “In times of lack or in times of plenty, the baptized believer is satisfied in Christ”. By His grace, He has called you His own as you “put on Christ” [Gal3:27] in your Baptism. Not only are with Christ, but by the Water and the Word, you have been rescued from sin death and the power of the devil.

Satisfaction is the Lord’s Supper. In this Holy Meal, you are fed to the fullest in the gift of the body and blood of our Lord “given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins”. This the greatest meal as you partake in His body and blood that truly delivers your satisfaction. So come and receive because this our most satisfying meal from heaven!

I know, you might be going through many things at this very moment. Where it seems that you running on an empty well, thirsting, struggling, even to the point of doubting the Lord. But take heart, retreat to the Word and there you will find [again and again and again] your greatest satisfaction in Jesus Christ alone.

Amen.