John 6:22-40
This begins what is called, “The sermon on the Bread of Life”, a sermon that is often overlooked but has rich application for us. The clamor to make Jesus King has died down. In the wilderness some might start to plan a rebellion, but in town with Roman soldiers nearby they would be more restrained. Now the people come to Jesus looking for free food. They were not as interested in the sign and the miracles as a free lunch.
This is one of the passages that indicate Jesus would not have made a very good church growth pastor. A church growth pastor would have followed up on the feeding of the 5000 with plans for an even bigger event. But Jesus knows, and we should learn, that men's appetite for food, excitement, entertainment, and self is absolutely insatiable. At the moment when Jesus could have drawn the biggest crowds He turned attention away from what will draw the crowds to the real and fundamental needs of men. “Stop working so hard for what will not last, rather work for what will last” Jesus says. “And what is that?” the people want to know. Jesus says, “Believe in Him whom He (that is God) has sent”.
Jesus was not hostile for large crowds nor did they impress Him. The focus is on teaching people to have faith, to believe in the One on whom God had placed His seal. As disciples there are a great many things that can help move us toward Jesus or into deeper faith. But when any of these become the objects we pursue we have failed. Jesus and only Jesus is our ultimate goal.
“Lord, blind my eyes to anything that would distract me from You. AMEN”
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