A Perspective Shift – Week Two

The crowds followed Him everywhere. Each stop along the way, their adoration grew. Surely this man Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior, their long-awaited hope. He healed the sick, taught with power, and could feed a multitude from one little lunch. They were so confident of Jesus’s leadership they planned to make Him king – by force if necessary.

But Jesus wasn’t looking to rule and reign an earthly kingdom. While the crowd plotted, Jesus withdrew to spend time alone with His Father. The disciples boarded a boat and crossed the sea. After rest and solitude, Jesus miraculously joined the disciples three or four miles into their journey across the water.

Though they never saw Him board a boat, eventually, the people caught on that Jesus crossed the sea. They followed. Once they caught up, the crowds swarmed and began to ask – how did you get here?

Instead of focusing on the miracle, Jesus, as He always does, looked at their hearts. And what He saw was not good. This group followed Jesus for the wrong reasons – they were intrigued. They wanted to see more signs and wonders, and they wanted the power to perform them.

Sometimes we are like that crowd, aren’t we? We follow Jesus in hopes for signs and wonders but don’t see Him for who He really is.

The words Jesus spoke that day, to the heart of those people, are words that you and I need to hear today, “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” (John 6:27 NASB)

The people asked a question – how can we do God’s work? But they were confusing external experiences with the real work of God.

Jesus had a different definition, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him who He has sent.” (John 6:29)

Still, the people couldn’t understand. They had seen Jesus multiply bread to provide food for the needy. Wasn’t that the work of God?

Jesus explained, “It is My Father who gives you the true bread of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.” (John 5:32-33)

Still, they were confused. Okay, Jesus – give us this bread.

Jesus explained again, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.”(John 5:35)

People clamor for the tangible. God is intangible.

People want to touch, see, and explain. God often works in ways that are unseen and unknowable.

People like immediate results- such as Jesus providing a meal. God is focused on the eternal – He wants to help us never hunger or thirst again.

What about you? Are you missing God’s work while chasing after external signs? Are you confusing what God wants for what you want?

Jesus is inviting you to come into His presence. He is offering food that forever satisfies. But we have to see and believe.