JOHN 6:22-35
22The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
Jesus the Bread of Life
25When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" 26Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." 28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." 30So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat." 32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." 35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
Back in the day, a young man was making a journey by ship from Europe to America. Worried about spending any extra cash, he lived on crackers and cheese for the entire trip, until the last day. No longer able to stand the sight of crackers and cheese he thought to himself, “Well, maybe on this last day I’ll go all out and treat myself to a full meal.” The steward was surprised to see the man seated at the dinner table and when he inquired as to where the man had been for the entire voyage, the man told how he was anxious about spending too much money. The steward was shocked, “Didn’t anyone tell you? The meals are included in the price of the ticket!”
How many of us are sailing through life on a “crackers and cheese existence”, worried sick over earthly treasures? “Give it up,” Jesus says. “It isn’t necessary. God’s provision is included in the price of your trust.” In today’s Scripture, Jesus said to us, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life.” What is the prime goal of our lives? For what are we working? Just as bread supplies our bodies with strength and nourishment, Jesus, the true bread from heaven, came to strengthen and nourish his people—to change their lives, to bring spiritual and eternal life to all who would believe in him! Jesus offers the ultimate spiritual satisfaction: if we believe in him, we will never hunger or thirst.
What are you working for? Even though you live in a big house, wear designer clothing, own property, and eat expensive meals, you will still be hungry if you do not have Jesus in your life. Are you still hungry for something? What bread do you need? Do not work for the bread that is perishable. Do not waste your life for the bread that makes you hungry again. Work for the bread that you can share with the unfortunate, and have the bread of faith from heaven, that eternally satisfies your hunger.
We live in a materialistic age. Gadgets and luxuries with the bling - bling and glamour entice even Christians to spend too much energy and money to obtain them. That is why it is important to keep spiritual values foremost in our minds. Have you been putting all of your energies into getting ahead in this world while neglecting heavenly values? Jesus was saying that the people should not be following him because he provided free bread, but because he provides spiritual bread—bread that can give them eternal life. We all have a deep spiritual hunger that cannot be satisfied by anything this world has to offer. Jesus Christ alone can satisfy the hunger of the human heart and soul. He alone can fill our lives with hope and meaning. And, Jesus told them: “Do not work for the food that perishes.” Long ago a prophet called Isaiah had asked: “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread? And your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2). Are you settling for a crackers and cheese existence? AMEN!
Adapted By: Elder Michael L. Hargett
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