Readings for today: 1 Samuel 10-11, John 6:43-71, Psalms 107, Proverbs 15:1-3
John 6 challenges us. Challenges us to think about why we seek Jesus. Is it for the signs and wonders? The miracles He can perform? Is it because of His blessings? The eschatological rewards we will one day receive? Is Jesus just a means for us to accomplish our own ends? Fulfill our own desires? The people had experienced a great miracle. Five thousand of them had been fed by a few loaves and a few fish. They had eaten their fill which was no small thing in a 1st century agrarian economy. And they’re probably thinking to themselves, “If we follow this man, we will never grow hungry again.”
But is that why we seek Jesus? To satisfy our physical needs? “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal." (John 6:27) Yes, Jesus! That’s what we want! Help us understand! What does it mean to do the works of God that He might be pleased with us and give us the food that never perishes? “Believe in Me.” Jesus responds. “What sign will you perform that we may see and believe?” You can almost see Jesus shake His head. Really? Did I not just multiply loaves and fishes and feed five thousand? Was that not enough? Of course, it’s never enough for us. We always want more. Always need more. Always seek yet another sign. Another confirmation that God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do.
Jesus says, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." (John 6:35, 47-51)
In other words, “You aren’t getting it. You’re missing the point. This isn’t about the manna you ate in the wilderness during the Exodus journey. That manna may have sustained but it could not save. This is about the true bread the Father is offering you from heaven. The bread that not only sustains but saves you eternally. I am the living bread. Believe in Me! Feast on Me! Trust Me and you will live forever.” Essentially what Jesus is telling them is He is the sign. He is the wonder. He is the miracle of God come down from heaven so that all who believe might have eternal life.
We get so caught up trying to meet our own needs. We focus so much on our own desires. We work so hard for selfish gain. But we all know we can’t take this stuff with us. We all know there are no storage units in heaven to store our stuff. No moving van to pack us up for glory. Naked we came into this world and naked we shall depart. As much as we achieve in this world, it will be forgotten. As much as we accumulate in this world, it will fall to dust. The only thing that endures is our faith in Christ. The only thing that is eternal is our belief in Him. The only thing that matters is that we trust Him and surrender to Him and let Him meet our needs according to His will and perfect plan.
Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 12-13, John 7:1-30, Psalms 108, Proverbs 15:4