Jump Start # 601

John 6:26 “Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.”

The sixth chapter of John is a turning point in the ministry of Jesus and in the hearts of the multitudes. Jesus was popular. Everywhere He went massive crowds showed up. They brought their sick and crippled family members. Earlier in this chapter Jesus fed the multitudes. Five thousand men ate. Estimating women and children it is easy to believe that 10-15,000 were fed by Jesus. Aside from the events at the crucifixion and resurrection, the feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle found in all four gospels. Here are a few reasons why:

• More people were participants in that miracle than any other. With most miracles, Jesus healed a person and the crowd witnessed. With this miracle, they all ate what Jesus created. They were all involved directly.
• This was most likely the longest lasting miracle. A common expression found with healings is the word “immediately.” Mark’s gospel uses that word often. Immediately the blind received their sight. Immediately the lame walk. Immediately the dead were raised. That word isn’t used here. The crowd didn’t have their hungry bellies filled immediately. Jesus made the bread and fish, which were a poor man’s snack, and the apostles would take it to groups of 50 or 100. They would return and take more. Twelve men feeding 10,000 people would take a while.

The context in which our verse is found begins with the statement, “The next day…” The next day they went looking for Jesus. When they couldn’t find him, they got in boats and journeyed to Capernaum. There they found Him. The events that took place the day before hasn’t led to their faith in Jesus. They were looking for another free meal. They looked to Jesus as the source of something free, easy and delightful. Jesus saw that. He refused to feed them anymore. Their hearts were not right. The Lord used the occasion to talk about commitment and discipleship, something they didn’t understand and many today do not either. The chapter tells us later on that many went home. They left Jesus. Disappointed in Jesus. Probably complaining about Jesus. Still happens today. If Jesus doesn’t do what I think He should, we complain about the Holy One of Israel. Can you imagine?

The theme in John 6 is similar to the theme in the book of Job. Job is not about suffering, it is about commitment to God. Will a person follow God because He is God or because of all the blessings God gives him? Take away the blessings, take away financial security, family, health, leave him broken and hurting with nothing left and then will He still cling to God? That was the debate then. That is the discussion in John 6. And that is the thought for us.

Why does a person go to church services? Because they have to? Because all their friends are there? Because they like how it makes them feel? Or, perhaps, because of God? Why make righteous decisions? Because we want to go to Heaven? What if there was no Heaven? Would that change things? Would we follow God because He is God and is worthy of all that we have or because of the blessings He gives us?

It’s easy to thumb the multitudes in John 6 as being shallow, self seeking and not committed to Jesus. It’s hard to hold the mirror up and realize we could be just like that at times. Nearly every day my phone rings with someone wanting the church to pay their rent or utility bill or give them some food. If the answer is not favorable, most, again MOST, hang up. They do not even say “goodbye.” Give me what I want or I have no need for you.

Jesus wants us to follow Him because He is God. He wants our commitment based upon faith not blessings. He is not going to buy your allegiance, nor sweeten the deal, like a car dealer, to such a point that we can’t resist signing up for Jesus. He wants you to look at all the things before you in the Scriptures—the fulfillment of prophecy, His words, His character, His wisdom, His miracles, His promises and then to decide to follow Jesus because He is the Lord of Heaven and Earth.

We sing a song, “I have decided to follow Jesus…” Why? Because He’s been good to you? Because He’s given you everything you want? Or, perhaps because He is what He said.

His words are right. His promises are true. His way is pure. His desire for you is noble and righteous. His way will help your marriage. His way will destroy the guilt of your past. His way will pull you out of the ditch of despair, addiction, and habitual sin. His way makes the best relationships. His way involves forgiveness, grace, hope, and thinking of others first. His way brings peace. His way is being a servant to others. His way is helping others.

I have decided to follow Jesus? Really? During the storms upon the sea? When the free food stops? When others point their fingers and ridicule? When it’s popular and when it’s not? I have decided to follow Jesus…

There are those who actually saw Jesus and heard His voice and ate the food that He made miraculously yet they turned their backs and went home. Back to a world of darkness and despair. Back to killing lambs and hoping for a Messiah. Back to the prison of sin and brokenness. They stepped into the sunshine of hope and freedom, but returned to the prison of darkness. Happened then. It happens now.

Some expect Jesus to fix their kids. When He doesn’t, they walk away from Jesus. Fix my husband’s attitude—when He doesn’t, they turn away. Heal mama’s cancer. When it doesn’t happen, away from Jesus they go. Find me a job…get me out of trouble…do this, do that—in the N.T. we read, tell my brother to give me my share of the inheritance…give us more food. When Jesus wouldn’t do those things, people were through with Jesus. He didn’t do what they wanted.

I wonder if they ever turned that thought around…Jesus, being through with us because we don’t do what He wanted?

I have decided to follow Jesus…really? Even if the free food stops? Jesus hopes so. Jesus wants that. He wants you to decide to follow Him, not because of the blessings, but because He is worthy.  I have decided…

Roger