“Jesus answered, “I assure you: You are looking for Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal of approval on Him.” “What can we do to perform the works of God? ” they asked. Jesus replied, “This is the work of God — that you believe in the One He has sent.” “What sign then are You going to do so we may see and believe You? ” they asked. “What are You going to perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, just as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” Jesus said to them, “I assure you: Moses didn’t give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the real bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the One who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Then they said, “Sir, give us this bread always! ” “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again.” John 6:26-35
So, next day, the crowds who Jesus had fed the fish and loaves to realized that He hadn’t gone with the disciples the night before and went searching for Him. When they found Him on the other side of the lake, they asked Him how He got there (not relizing He had walked on water). Jesus, in usual fashion, cut to the heart of the matter, causing this discussion to ensue. Jesus said “You are looking for Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled.” In othet words, you’re not for me to find out by what power I did these miracles, but because you ate, were filled, but are now hungry again! So Jesus addresses this issue–instead of spending your life, laboring for what you cannot keep–namely physical food and other physical things, why not invest your time, talents and energy on things that hold etetnal value–your walk with God, people and helping others. Now jobs, food, houses, cars and other valuables are important, don’t get me wrong. Without paying attention to your job and providing these things, your family will suffer, but AS we do this, we need to keep eternity in prescective. Doing this will help us keep our priorities straight! As a response, some of the people asked, what should we do to do God’s work then (as opposed to their own). “This is the work of God — that you believe in the One He has sent”, responded Jesus. “What sign then are You going to do so we may see and believe You?” (this coming from people who were initially following Him around because of the miracles He did and had watched Him feed them with little food just the day before!) Still fixated on food, they comment that Moses gave them bread in the wilderness to eat to which Jesus responds, “My Father gives you the real bread from heaven”, and I AM HE–I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE (vs 35). No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again.”
The bigger picture of this story was not only the fact that Jesus will provide for our every need, but that Jesus, Himself, actually IS THAT VERY PROVISION!
All of us have a nagging spiritual hunger inside that’s as real as physical hunger or thirst. We long for meaning to life. We long for significance and purpose. We long for acceptance. Really, what we’re longing for is Jesus!
Jesus invites you to Himself today. He invites you to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Ps 34:8) The deepest needs of your heart can be forever satisfied in Him!
Think about it!
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