John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
In light of the biblical narrative, the people followed Jesus because of the things that He did for them without understanding the higher calling of His mission. They were perplexed at His word as He presented Himself greater than the miracles which He performed. Jesus gave them bread, but the message was that He was the Bread of Life. He healed their infirmities, but He was the Resurrection. Jesus said, “you follow me because I gave you bread.” At one point He scolded the multitude saying, “Isaiah was right about you: Ye serve me with your lips, but your heart is far from me.”
God is good to His people of this I’m sure. The things which He supplies can be addictive until we no longer seek for Him, but for the provisions which He gives. The issue with the people of Jesus’ day was that they struggled to see His Kingdom purpose. They thought He would overthrow the Roman Empire, but He came to conquer sin, death, and the grave. They sought for physical healing, while He came to heal the dying soul of mankind. They loved the fish and the loaves, but failed to see the great Creator standing in their midst.
Things can cloud the Master. If we are not careful, we will praise Him as long as life is good and things are provided. If we are not aware, our adherence to His Word will be attached to natural bread and not His majesty. He is the Lord of lords and the King of all kings. Our lives are blessed because of Him and until we understand His Kingdom we might all be consumed by the temporal aspects of life. Yes, the Lord provides, but what if His provision comes in other forms than the physical? What then? Shall we lose faith because these things are not in our hands? Is He any less good based upon our health, wealth, or life position?
I submit this imperative: Crucify your flesh. Fall in love with His nature. Seek first His Kingdom. Seek Him and not what He can do for you. If Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, how much more should we seek for the same?
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole
