John 6:16-71
Jesus’ signs testified to his divinity (5:36) and the crowds were following him because of those signs (6:2). Yet when they ate the bread and fish when he did the miracle of multiplying food, their motive changed to seeking him because of the good food, not the miracles. Their focus shifted from heavenly to earthly, from discovering the wonder of who Jesus was to what he could do for them.
They were the original “consumer” Christians – Jesus was popular with them because he met their needs and filled their bellies (and I bet that was some good bread!). When they asked for bread, he used that theme to communicate who he was – the bread of life, the true bread from heaven (which is a parallel to the manna from heaven that the crowds mentioned that Moses gave them). Many were offended at this, and even some who were considered disciples were grumbling about the words he said and quit following. Why? The truth was too difficult for them to believe. And perhaps they didn’t want the truth, they wanted a warm loaf of bread instead!
Jesus wasn’t distracted from his mission by popularity. He saw that the motives of the crowds were selfish and spoke blunt truth to them, calling them to faith in himself.
Seek Jesus not for what he can do for you, but for who he is, the only true source of life, the bread from heaven!
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