John 6:24-35
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” (John 6:35)
There is a difference between being hungry and hungering, between thirsting and being thirsty. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is trying to share with us that his provision is beyond physical nourishment. The large crowd following Jesus after the multiplication of the loaves are seeking Him because He filled their stomachs. The crowd’s short-sighted effort to find Jesus is apparent. Understandably—when you’ve had a good meal, do you hope for a return invite? This may be our approach to our relationship with God: we seek Him through our prayers for whatever we need at the moment. Sometimes we can miss what Jesus is truly offering in everlasting abundance.
The crowd asks Jesus, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" They continue to ask for more signs even after witnessing the feeding of the 5,000. What more are they missing to see and understand what God is offering? It seems his message is not getting beyond their hunger for more food. Jesus instructs the crowd by saying, “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” This forces us to ask ourselves how much we spend our time on inconsequential things outside of Jesus.
Even today, things that have a longer “battery life” are usually seen as better. When we buy things, we want to make sure they will last. Our relationship with God is no different. We must work toward something that will last for eternity. Just like food is a necessity for us to live here on earth, God is a necessity for us to live after we die. If we believe in Him, we will live forever, we will never be hungry, and our needs will always be satisfied. Jesus is the true bread of life who meets every need that we have. We must go to Jesus daily to be refilled and renewed.
Comments