March 8, 2005 John 6:16-27

March 8, 2005                                                                                     John 6:16-27

 

John 6:26-27 “Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for 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 for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal."”

 

This passage follows Jesus miracles of feeding the crowd of 5,000 plus with two small fish and five small barley loaves and his walking on the water through a storm to the boat where the disciples were.  After reading John 6:16- 27, put yourself in the boat with the disciples and in the minds of the crowd who have been fed.  Jesus, having felt the pangs of hunger we feel, met the human need we have for nourishment.  Being trained in nursing, I was taught to recognize that in order to teach a patient concerning their illness I must first meet, as best as I could, their basic needs.  Public education also follows this philosophy by providing breakfast and lunch to our schoolchildren.  Jesus is asking us as Christians to seek and hunger for his Word as we do for mere food. 

I am left realizing how many times I have felt within me, a restlessness and need for something and sought solace in food instead of the Lord.  The term comfort food comes immediately to mind.  How easy is it to reach for that second or third brownie when we really aren’t hungry but… want something?  What better comfort can there be but that of Jesus?  In John 14:27 Jesus says; “Peace I leave with you: my peace I give you… I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  If we can learn to hunger for God's Word, our bodies would reap the rewards of health and our souls would reap the rewards of Life Everlasting! Praise be to God!!!

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for your gift of peace that endures.  We ask you to place in our hearts a hunger for your Word and a desire to seek you in our daily lives.  Forgive us when we seek comfort in worldly ways instead of seeking you, Lord.  Help us to listen for your Spirit before acting on our own human impulses.  These things we ask in your name.  Amen.

 

Contributed by Myrna Trower