Be With Jesus: Meditate There is a both a physical AND reason we should slowly, repeatedly chew our food. Big Idea If reading the word is the first bite of a meal, is the act of savoring, fully tasting, and absorbing it so the word can transform you to be like Jesus and live like he lived. John 6:53–58 (ESV) 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” Jesus emphasized the importance of both eating (reading) and feeding (continually chewing and grazing-meditating) on Him. Psalm 1:1–2 (CSB) 1 How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! 2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. Joshua 1:8 (CSB) This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. The Old Testament emphasizes meditating on Scripture “day and night”—a poetic way of saying . —and shows that such sustained thoughtful engagement transforms our lives for our good. Meditation helps us to: Thoroughly break down what we’re reading so we can absorb it. Fully taste & appreciate what we are reading. Feel full & satisfied by Jesus rather than overeating on things that aren’t meant to be our greatest delight. As we read and meditate on the Word it: Equips Exposes Disarms Equips 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Exposes Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Disarms Ephesians 6:17 (NLT) Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The Word doesn’t work to transform us. John 14:26 (ESV) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. The Holy Spirit helps us understand what we are meditating on, reminds us when we forget and helps us to wield the Word of God and disarm the powers of darkness. What Now? Never skip a meal (Read) Chew every bite (Meditate) Swallow (Trust) Continuing the Conversation When you read the Bible, which mode do you drift toward most: information, performance, or presence? Why? What makes it hardest for you to slow down and “sit at Jesus’ feet”? What is one specific change you can make this week to practice Scripture as a way of being with Jesus?