You, Yes You, Need To Figure Out Why You Are Following Jesus
John 6
This is a personal matter, a matter that must be settled between you and God. Is it because of what He has done in your life or because of who He is? Is it because of what He has done or because of how and why He was able to do it?
As has been mentioned time and again this meditation journal came about because I wanted to know from the life of Jesus how He could be fully man and yet live a life never sinning. Though this is at a short break from going through the Psalms where I have I have asked, "could Jesus have prayed this psalm as a prayer" as it is very evident that His relationship with His Father is the key. In this break from the Psalms I began pursuing the question what are the times recorded of Jesus actually praying, seeking His Father's face We see also there are times when His Father couldn't help but speak, This is my Son..." (At His baptism - read Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22; the transfiguartion - read Matt 17:5; Mark 2:7; Luke 9:35). Then after the triumphal entry He retired to Bethany, but coming back the next day John records that some Greeks wanted to see Jesus. As Jesus tells that His hour has finally come He just wanted His Father to be glorified, and so says, Father, glorify your name. And the Father verbally answers. (Read John 12:28). At Jesus baptism, at the transfiguration, and in the temple talking to His disciples only a very few were present to hear His Father speak, most who already believed in Him. But in John chapter 6 we have very evident situation unfold.
After these things, Jesus went his way over the sea of Galilee, which is Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles, which he did on them that were diseased.
John 6:1-2 GNV
Note the reason the multitude followed Him, because the SAW the MIRACLES which He did on those who were diseased. After this the narrative of the feeding of the five thousand is told. Everyone was filled plus overage of twelve baskets FULL all from the five barley loaves and two fish the boy gave Jesus. That's a bit hard to miss given the situation, no one had any food.
After the feeding of the five thousand men along with the women and children there were more than a few that saw a certain significance in all that just took place.
Then the men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therfore perceived that they would come, and take him to make him a King, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
John 6:14-15 GNV
The men of that day did not miss the significance of what they saw in relation to all they had been taught, right or wrong, that the Messiah would be and certainly wanted Him to be that right now. But Jesus was seen leaving going up into the mountains to avoid what those men wanted to do.
The disciples leave by boat to return to the other side of the lake. Later Jesus walks part way, then gets in the boat for the rest of the way, and Jesus and the disciples safely reach their destination. The next morning the people who had seen the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand have no clue where Jesus went. His disciples left without him and no other boats had crossed over to Capernaum. Last they had seen of Jesus He was high tailing it to the mountains. So where did He go? They drew a somewhat logical assumption that where His disciples went He would likely be there so they got in boats and went across the lake. And there He was. But how He got there was a mystery. So they had an interesting beginning of a much longer discussion with 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 ate of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for the meat that endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Jesus answered, and saide unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe in him, whom he hath sent.
They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see it, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
John 6:25-30 GNV
This is one of those moments that causes a bit of head scratching wondering if you read their right. This brings to mind the series of ten supernatural plagues that came upon Egypt, then after 600,000 plus men beside women, children, and non-Jews crossed through the Red Sea opened at least a mile wide to cross in one night, then three days later don't believe God can provide water for them.
So here now the reason these men followed Jesus to this time of preaching was why? We read it earlier, because they SAW the MIRACLES. And then the next day after five thousand are fed and at that time they wanted to make Jesus king, by force if necessary, because they drew a conclusion of who He was because of the miracle they saw. And now after they cross to Capernaum, find Him, and make claim to Him that they want to do the works of God. He tells them to work the works of God they must believe in Him whom He sent. Now at this point they ask Him for WHAT? A SIGN that we may SEE it and BELIEVE?
This is very like when Jesus tells of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16 and the roch man asked that Lazarus be sent back. Abraham told him that his brothers wouldn't believe even if someone rose from the dead. Sure enough a week or two later in John 11 Jesus said, "Lazarus, come forth!" Some did believe, but others ran back to the Jewish leaders still not believing in Him.
These who saw the miracles, took part in eating of the loaves and fish as part of the feeding of the five thousand, but still asked for a SIGN that they might see, and believe.
And so I tell you again,
You, yes you, need to figure out why you are following Jesus. And again I ask, do you follow Him because of what He does? Or because of who He is?