John 6:26, 27 (NLT) - Seeking Jesus.
John 6:26, 27 (NLT) Jesus replied, "I tell
you the truth, you want to be with me because I
fed you, not because you understood the
miraculous signs. But don't be so concerned about
perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking
the eternal life that the Son of Man can give
you. For God the Father has given me the seal of
his approval."
COMMENTARY PEARL
An acquaintance called me and wanted
advice and encouragement. I listened to her
dilemma, helped her brainstorm solutions, and did all
I could to remind her that Jesus had not
stopped loving her. After I got off the phone, I
felt wistful. She hadn't asked about my life.
This often happened when she called. She vented,
asked for support, and then scampered away, never
taking time to really connect or listen.
I wanted to rejoice that Jesus had made
me available to serve someone else, but part of
me wished we had a more reciprocal relationship
- a sharing of our lives. Then I realized how
often Jesus must have felt that way during His
time on earth. He responded to needs around Him,
listened, cared, healed, and provided. Yet often
people grabbed up His healings or His miracles of
fish and loaves without understanding what He
longed for - relationship. Throughout human
history, God has expressed His desire to be in a
relationship with us. I don't want to be like the
followers who only cared about what earthly provision
they could get from Jesus. I want to pursue a
relationship with Him, truly seek to know Him, and invite
Him into every part of my life.
Today, let's do more than tell Him our
woes, pour out our petitions, and then scamper
away. Let's sit in His presence, ask His guidance,
and thank Him for being a steadfast Friend. by
Sharon Hinck
Faith Step: Think about the ways you have
deepened a relationship with a friend. Then ask Jesus
to show you ways to strengthen your
relationship with Him. [Mornings With Jesus 2018
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]
COMMENTARY
Jesus had just fed a multitude of people
with only a few fish and five loaves of bread,
and the crowds flocked after him. But he knew
that they were looking for him because he had met
their physical needs, so he told them, "Spend your
energy seeking the eternal life that I, the Son of
Man, can give you. For God the Father has sent me
for that very purpose" (John 6:27). Jesus was
pointing them to the spiritual life he offered, but
the people were more interested in what Jesus
could do for them. They wanted him to give them a
miraculous sign before they would believe in him. They
still didn't get it! So in this verse he declares
himself to be the Bread of Life, the One who came
from heaven to give life to the world. He
promised that those who believe in him will never
hunger or thirst again. It is easy for us to focus
on what God can do for us and spend our
energies on things that don't truly satisfy. But he
has put within each of us a spiritual hunger
that only he can fill. Ask God to stir up those
yearnings for him today so that you can taste and see
that the Lord is good.
Bread of Life, forgive me for seeking
after things that will never really satisfy or
fulfill my deepest longings. Forgive me for focusing
on what you can do for me materially instead of
seeking the rich, true life that comes from you.
Cause me to hunger and thirst for you and your
life today. [Praying Through The Bible By Fuller
re John 6:35]
ONE LINERS
God alone can truly satisfy the hunger of
the soul He Himself created and into which He
put the hunger for Himself. [Source Unknown]
Only when we develop a personal relationship
with Jesus and acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior
do we feel truly "filled." [The 365 Daily
Promise Bible By Barbour]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190630-1101.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20060517-0804.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190721-0846.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20141011-2240.html
EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON 28 REVELATIONS OF
JESUS
1st of 28: Divine Dining:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7j1QIKqmY
2nd of 28: Pictures of the Divine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNI-OQ7-eQ
3rd of 28: A Dirty Bible:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkPvBuuFd4
4th of 28: Cared For:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztXyJVdcCds
5th of 28: Saved:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX45kGRe1HI
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
