"When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus." John 6:24
These men had, the previous day, partaken of the bread that was multiplied by Jesus, and now, they were looking for Him. But the question is, why were they looking for Jesus? On finding Him, they asked, "When did You get here?" Interestingly, Jesus did not address their question, rather, He addressed the motive behind their looking for Him.
"Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled." John 6:26
But there seems to be a problem with the answer that Jesus gave them. According to Jesus, "Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled." The question that immediately comes to mind is, what is the difference between the miracle that they saw and the bread that they ate? Was not the bread that they ate the same as the miracle that they saw?
The miracle was a sign that was supposed to show the people who He was: their Messiah. But they couldn't see beyond the bread to see the sign which the bread represented. It is easy for us to read of the lack of understanding of these Jews and denigrate them, but how different are we from them? The miracles of Jesus Christ written in the word of God are written, not just to show us how powerful Jesus is, they represent more than His power, they represent who He is: the Messiah, sent from God to redeem a sinful world from its slavery to sin.
As He engaged the Jews in a lengthy conversation, He told them that He was the Bread of life. In other words, more than the physical bread which He multiplied to nourish their bodies with physical strength, He is the Bread of life sent from heaven to nourish their souls with everlasting life. To do this, His body had to be broken and eaten, just as the physical bread which He multiplied was broken and eaten. But the eating of His flesh is done by faith in Him. Whoever eats His flesh and drinks His blood will have life in himself.
So, are you looking for Jesus? Why are you looking for Him? It will only profit you if it is so that you can eat His flesh and drink His blood, and have eternal life in you.
Toni
