Sept. 30 - Oct.4 - Chasing after Bread

Welcome on the journey that is this reading plan!

And speaking of journey’s, that’s a great segue into what I would like to talk about today, being the journey that the crowd who was fed by Jesus undertook to find him the day after that famous feeding. Except of course it’s not really about the journey, it’s more about why they went on this journey. Here’s the scripture:

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” - John 6:25-29

Now it’s pretty easy to read this and think to ourselves, “Oh those silly selfish people, chasing after Jesus just because they wanted more bread”, and we would be right to think that, it is silly to seek out Jesus for loaves of bread. However, it is just as silly to go to Jesus for other selfish reasons, be it an easy way out of debt, an emotional high from a great worship service, or even seeking a healing. We need to go to Jesus not for what he might give us, but for HIM! To believe in him, to love and be obedient to him, He is our portion and our prize. Now this isn’t to say that we shouldn’t bring our needs to the Lord, we absolutely should! But first we must seek Him and His kingdom (Matt 6:33), Jesus is the bread of life not the rye loaves he might give us.

Have a great week everyone!