Spiritual Avoidance

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:
John 5	Numbers 34	Psalms 65

John chapter 4 gives the account of a Samaritan woman Jesus met at a well ourside her hometown and offered her living water. She tried to fill the spiritual void in her life through a string of illicit affairs. Chapter 5 of John describes another way people attempt to fill that spiritual void in their lives while avoiding the very One who can fill it.

Jesus encountered the religious leaders of his day who attempted to fill their spiritual void through a pursuit of scripture and adherence to rules. But it had become a substitute for pursuing God. Jesus told them, "You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them," but they ignored the truth to which scripture pointed them, for the scriptures testify of Jesus and they would not accept Him.

Their actions showed that they did not really love God whom they claimed to love through all their religious activity. If they loved God they would have accepted His Son who He sent for them. But they were more intent on accepting glory from each other than the glory that comes from God. They wanted to fill the spiritual void with religious activity without accepting the One who could actually fill that void. They wanted it their way rather than God's way.