Scripture Reading(s)
John 6:25-35
6:25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”
6:26 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.
6:27 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.”
6:28 Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?”
6:29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
6:30 So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?
6:31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'”
6:32 Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
6:33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
6:34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Reflections
Jesus was known for His healing ministry and even His great signs. At times He performed signs so that some would believe. Other times He used rhetoric to convince the listener. This is a case where the audience has already seen Jesus perform a great miracle. Yet, they were asking for more signs? What more of a sign could they need than feeding thousands from a single meal? Ironically, they ask for a sign and state that Moses provided the sign of manna in the desert, yet they are not aware enough to realize the Jesus just provided nearly the same miracle on the other side of the lake.
Understanding that they are not swayed by signs he gives them a deeper lesson than signs can deliver. Do not be seeking the signs of God but the Son of God. Jesus is the bread from heaven. There is no greater gift or miracle than the everlasting life provided by the Son. If we read on in the story we find that His hearers were not very convinced. But we know that the path of Christianity is a narrow one.
Do not be caught up in signs or manifestations. Seek the bread of life which is Jesus.
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