John 6:22-27
The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”
Grace Prayed For
Persistent Seeking: Pray for the grace to persistently seek Jesus, even when our faith is tested or He seems distant. May we always hunger for His presence and truth, like the crowd who followed Him across the sea.
A Hunger That Goes Beyond
In this passage from John’s Gospel, Jesus addresses a crowd who is questioning his authority and in the Gospel of John presents us with a scene of persistent seeking. After witnessing the miracle of the loaves and fishes, the crowd follows Jesus, not merely for another meal, but drawn by a deeper hunger. They recognize in Him something that transcends the physical nourishment they received.
The crowd’s actions echo our own spiritual journeys. Often, we are initially attracted to faith by the “signs and wonders,” the tangible blessings we experience. Yet, true faith calls us to seek something more enduring, a nourishment that satisfies not just our bodies but our souls.
Jesus’ words challenge us to re-evaluate our motivations: “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life.” He invites us to shift our focus from the fleeting pleasures of this world to the lasting fulfillment found in a relationship with Him.
The crowd’s persistent search reminds us that the journey of faith is ongoing. It requires actively seeking Jesus, even when He seems absent. It means pursuing a deeper understanding of His teachings and living them out in our lives.
This passage also highlights the importance of recognizing the “seal” of God the Father on Jesus. It calls us to trust in Jesus’ authority and the truth of His message, for He is the one who offers us the bread of life, the source of eternal nourishment.
Let us reflect on our own spiritual hunger. Are we seeking Jesus for the right reasons? Are we open to the deeper nourishment He offers? Let us pray for the persistence of the crowd, that we may continuously seek Jesus and find in Him the true bread of life that satisfies our deepest longings.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Recognizing Your Deeper Hunger: The crowd’s persistent search for Jesus can inspire you to examine your own heart’s desires. What are you truly seeking in life? Are you satisfied with fleeting pleasures, or do you long for deeper spiritual fulfillment? Recognizing this deeper hunger can open you to a more intimate relationship with Jesus, who alone can satisfy it.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post