DO YOU SEEK THE BREAD OR THE BREADGIVER?
John 6 tells the story of when Jesus fed a multitude of over 5000 people from 5 barley loaves and 2 fish. The bible tells us the reason that the people had followed him to the mountainside in the first place was because they had witnessed the miraculous signs that he had performed on the sick. So, after they had now witnessed the miraculous sign of the loaves and fish, they began to be convinced that truly he must be the prophet of which it had been spoken that would come into the world. Jesus saw their hearts and knew that their motivation was to confirm Him as their “king”. So, he withdrew from them.
But the people sought after him. They deliberately and very effectively, for almost a full day, went in search of Him. Until finally, they found him. After they’d found Him, Jesus said a very interesting thing to them:
“Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. .” (John 6:26)
So I ask you, believer:
What are YOU seeking from Him?
Why are YOU following Him?
Keep in mind, “the crowd” who had, for a full day, sought after Jesus, and literally got into boats and sailed to another region just so that they could get to him; was the crowd whom after Jesus precisely told them who he was, ultimately decided not to follow Him any longer.
He made it clear to them that he was not some hero who was going to come on the scene and deliver them from their physical enemies; he was not some performer who had come to wow them with incredible signs and wonders; he was not some illusionist who was going to make all their problems magically
disappear; but he was the Son of God, who they had to BELIEVE was the Son of God. And it was only in their BELIEVING in Him; that they could really understand and benefit from why He was there to begin with.
It was this ‘crowd’ who sought after Him that was referenced in John 6:60 as saying:
“Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, this is an hard saying; who can hear it?”
It was also this ‘crowd’ that was referenced in John 6:66:
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
So I ask again, brethren: What are you seeking as a “Christian”? Why are you a follower of Jesus?
Is it solely His power and ability to do things in our lives that causes us to seek Him?
Is it our need to be taken out of our ‘hardship’ and ‘dilemmas’ that causes us to follow Him?
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with it being our need for help that causes us to come seeking Christ, but what is it that’s causing you to stay and wear the ID badge of a follower; a believer; a disciple?
Christ did, and still performs miracles in our lives so that through them, we might believe in the One who performs the miracles and seek HIM! Not only for what He can do but for who he is. For what he is. For why he is.
People, let us not fail to see the big picture. Life does not end after we leave this earth. But what we do on this earth, how we live on this earth, determines where we will spend eternity.
“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:35-40).
If this passage angers you, or causes you to passionately try to refute or dispute what is being said here, that’s alright, because Christ specifically said that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws him.
But if this passage stirs something in your heart and spirit; if this passage causes you to reflect on your life and your walk; if this passage causes you to ask yourself how well do you really know this Jesus, and how badly do you really want to get to know Him, then congratulations, because Christ was speaking of YOU in this passage.
The walk of discipleship is not a passive one. It is active. It is purposeful. It is deliberate.
Yes, the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ purchased salvation for us, but only if we come to Him, allow Him in and walk in Him.
2013 is already well under way, and it’s hour glass too will run out. Those who have confessed “I will follow Christ”, refine your decision today whether you are following for the ‘bread’ or if you are following for the ‘bread giver’.
If you are in it for the bread giver, then make it a point to get to know Him. Every minute of every day is precious & valuable. Not one minute can be wasted. Desire to know the Savior that you profess to believe in. Desire to understand His purpose for mankind. Desire to walk more intimately with Him. Desire to love Him better; not simply for what He does for us, but for what He is to us.
I wish us all a fulfilling & Christ-centered 2013, and remember:
“Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things as well, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:31-33)
Share your thoughts that you might encourage your brethren.
In Christ,
The handmaid at His feet.
The handmaid at His feet.
The handmaid at His feet 