JESUS OR THE THINGS HE GIVES?

'The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; 

(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) 

When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. 

And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? 

Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.' - John 6 vs 22 - 26 {KING JAMES VERSION}

• Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled

Previously, the Lord Jesus had multiplied five (5) loaves of bread and two (2) fishes, and the people were fed;

'After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. 

And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. 

And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. 

And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. 

When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? 

And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. 

Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. 

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, 

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? 

And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 

And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. 

When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. 

Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.' - John 6 vs 1 - 13 {KING JAMES VERSION}

You see... after this day, the people sought for Jesus, to be with Him again, so much that they boarded boats to search for Him;

'The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; 

(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) 

When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.' - John 6 vs 22 - 24 {KING JAMES VERSION}

• they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus

Great! It's great to seek for Jesus! But the Lord revealed that their motive was not right! They sought for Jesus for the wrong purpose. See what the Lord said to them;

'Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.' - John 6 vs 26 {KJV}

• Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled

And this is the same case in our present generation! Beloved, why do you go for that Church meeting? Why are you a member of that Church? Why did you attend that program in Church? Why do you pray that early morning prayer daily without missing it, with so much passion? Why are you in that crusade? Is your heart actually passionate to know the Lord Jesus and to be like Him, or you are there for His miracles? Are you active in Church because you truly desire to be better and live for Jesus, or you are there for His miracles? Is it Jesus you seek or need a husband? a wife? a Job? a visa? children? Are you engaging in that every day morning prayer because you desire an intimacy with the Lord Jesus, or you want more loaves, like the folks we read about? - Sincerely judge yourself.

Remember, you can have all the miracles you want and still be on your way straight to hell! See what the Lord further told those people in the verse 27,

'Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.' - John 6 vs 27 {KJV}

• Labour not for the meat which perisheth

That husband, that wife, that job, that breakthrough, the children, whatsoever the miracle is, it ends on earth! they cannot follow you into the grave, neither will they stand with you in eternity! Hence the Lord counseled them,

• but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life

Salvation! Your most and top priority all your days on earth should be your Salvation! Don't be a hypocrite! Don't call on Jesus for nothing! Don't be identified with Jesus for things - earthly and material things, no! But rather seek the Lord to be changed and transformed more and more into His image, where you literally walk in His righteousness in the earth, and shine forth His love to all who comes around you. That's the goal, to be transformed and be like Christ on earth.

'And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.' - Romans 12 vs 2 {KJV}

• be ye transformed

'Imitate God, since you are the children he loves.' - Ephesians 5 vs 1 {GW}

• Imitate God

'Since you are God's dear children, you must try to be like him.' - Ephesians 5 vs 1 {GNB}

• Since you are God's dear children, you must try to be like Him

Waow! This is the goal, to be like Christ! To live the God life on earth, to shine the light of Christ in this dark world, to be full representatives of Christ to this dying world!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

- Jenning U. Angel