Lessons ~ Jesus Feeding the Five ThousandНамуна

The Bread Of Life

The multitude followed Him for the healing and signs that He performed (John 6:2). Isn’t this so very familiar? The crowd looks for excitement and sensational experiences. We need to check if we, too, are running after and spending our time and energy trying to be sensationalised. We need to be seeking for what is eternal (II Corinthians 4:18, Colossians 3:1-3).

Fame came to Jesus but He saw with compassion the scattered crowd who were as sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 14:14, 9:36). Popularity or fame was not what Jesus was seeking for. Have we, preachers and teachers, fallen to the trap of fame? Isn’t this a dangerous trap that has destroyed many leaders who began well?  

Yes, the people needed to be fed with bread and Jesus does meet our material, everyday needs. Nevertheless, the Lord discerned that what the crowd truly needed was the bread from heaven. They needed to feed on Him, for He was the bread of life (John 6:48-51).  

His concern was that the people would realise that he was the Passover lamb that would take care of their deeper need, which was to cover their sin (John 1:29, 36-37). 

Thought to ponder

The majority that trudges in and out of our sanctuaries are not seeking for the eternal but for the temporal