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Apr 11, 2021

Scripture Reading: John 6:22-29

On the heels of the feeding of the 5,000 we have this interchange between Jesus and some of the people who ate Christ's miraculous food. Having followed Jesus to the western side of the Sea of Galilee, our Lord confronted them with a blunt and searching indictment … "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves" (Jn 6:26). These folks were enamored with the product of the miracle instead of being enthralled with the person who accomplished the miracle.

Jesus instructed them with a prohibition and an exhortation. The prohibition is "Do not work for food that perishes" (Jn 6:27). Jesus was not saying that these people should quit their jobs, but that they must not be more concerned with the needs of their body than they are with the needs of their soul. Their problem was that they were given, exclusively, to material things, to the neglect of spiritual realities.

The exhortation was to work "for food that endures to eternal life" (Jn 6:27). The 'work' that Jesus has in mind is faith in Him … "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent" (Jn 6:28). For unbelievers, this 'work' is the faith that leads to conversion from darkness into light. For believers, this 'work' is the faith that labors in spiritual disciplines … prayer, meditation, memorization, study, obedience. Jesus is commanding vigilance and passion regarding the welfare of our souls.