Sunday 26th February
Read John 6:24-27
“Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”” (NIVUK)
Jesus deals with their question indirectly, as He often does, and really addresses the issue of why they asked the wrong question… And He says it with intent (‘Very truly I tell you’). It is a warning that we also would do well to listen to. Jesus confronts their tendency to consider only their earthly, human, needs rather than consider their true need. When they are too consumed by what they will next consume they can’t see clearly enough to ask for what they really need. The effort they put in, the ’work’ (v27a), to find Jesus for their next meal is much better spent considering who Jesus is. They need to consider what the supply of bread tells them about Jesus.
Jesus has the favour of God, His ‘seal of approval’ (v27c). They should search for Him because of that simple fact. He supplies bread from heaven that endures beyond the next day. He supplies it as a gift if only they would turn to Him and ask. Material earthly needs distract us from the only thing that is important – Jesus Himself. Consider Jesus’ words to the Laodicean church in this light, a church blind to its own needs because it thought it had everything.
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” (Revelation 3:19-22) (NIVUK)
How important is it to ask the right question? What do we really need? Have we heard His voice?
