God did many wonderful things for the people of Israel. He freed them from slavery in Egypt and provided for them in the desert. He only asked for absolute trust and fidelity in return. But then fear set in: Moses was gone too long, so the people made a Golden Calf to worship - a God they could see and touch! The people were very human - we do exactly the same thing. It is easy to be pious and to have faith when everything goes well, but when we get into tough situations or our world collapses around us, we turn to many other things for comfort. Anything that is more important or powerful to us than God, especially when we are fearful or struggling, is our own personal Golden Calf.

People were doubtful about Jesus. Why was he doing and saying such things? His answer: just look at my deeds, then judge. As for Scriptures - the people were guilty of a very common failing. They read Scriptures, but had not opened their minds and hearts to its transforming power. They did not come to Jesus to have life - and many Christians do the same. It is easy to memorize Scripture and to be very religious without actually opening one's heart, mind, and soul to the Lord. We become addicted to our own opinions and to control. The Spirit of God is blocked by rigid ideas, closed minds, and unwillingness to turn over control to God. The Scriptures are about us - they tell the human story!