JOHN 6:22-27 SEEKING JESUS, FINDING TRUTH

22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

26 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

Once again Jesus meets the people where they are searching. The Samaritan woman came to the well looking for physical water and Jesus offered her “living water.” The people of Galilee search out Jesus because he had proven he could provide material bread and he offers them eternal bread. The pattern is that people seek out an answer to their perceived need and encounter Jesus. The searchers ask him who he is, how he got there, or why he is there, and Jesus answers by telling them that he is the answer to their real need. He then defines that need and offers himself as its ultimate and eternal answer. These episodes demonstrate that Jesus is not only the answer to our deepest and often unspoken needs, but he is also accessible as the answer to those needs.

Most of us search out Jesus in our prayers and bring to him our perceived needs. We are good at reciting our laundry list of wants and desires. Often we do not stay in conversation long enough with Jesus to say more than “Thanks in advance for taking care of these things.” By so doing we miss that transformational opportunity afforded by being in his presence. We will never get beyond our perceived needs if we do not allow time to listen to what Jesus has to say in response. He will bless our perceived needs by using them as the opportunity to reveal to us what our fundamental needs are. Furthermore, Jesus never reveals such needs without revealing how he is the answer to them. Today’s loaf of bread will be stale or gone tomorrow, but the Word of God is eternally present and fresh.

Forgive me Jesus for my shallow and self-centered prayer life. Thank you for listening to my laundry list and even addressing my requests, but help me to be engaged with you in my prayers. Give me a patient and listening faith so that I might be open to your penetrating and revealing voice. Guide me into a greater understanding of you and a closer walk in the faith. Amen.