Why Do You Seek Him?

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. — John 6:25-26 ESV

The incident in today’s verses happened the day after Jesus fed the five thousand with a mere five loaves and two fish. The people had eaten to their hearts’ content and also noticed twelve baskets of leftovers (that would have been quite a bit of takeaway!)

They saw the miracle done that day and they wanted to forcefully make Jesus their King. They must have thought if this man became their King, He would meet all their needs and they wouldn’t need to worry about anything anymore.

The next day these people started seeking Jesus again. Jesus who knows all man’s intentions knew that they weren’t seeking him to hear the words of His Father but mainly to be fed again. And Jesus told them so.

Many churchgoers (not true or genuine Christians) do church nowadays seeking only miracles – protection, blessings, prosperity, healing and so on. They therefore focus on performing religious duties like paying their tithes, fasting, serving in the church and making large donations in an attempt to obtain these “blessings”. Don’t get me wrong, these religious acts have their place, but the motive behind them matters and God knows them whether good or bad.

The gifts and blessings of God can’t be bought; God gives His blessings to whom He pleases. And all God wants from us is to accept the gift of His Son—Jesus Christ. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

Life will not always hand us everything we want—Christian or not. However, as Christians no matter what life throws at us, we ought to be fully assured that God loves us and has our full and best interest at heart. Job’s life is a good example; he did all the rituals he thought necessary but didn’t see them as his right to a pleasant or perfect life.

“He said, ‘I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!’” Job 1:21 (NLT)

So, why do you seek Him? To accept the gift of eternal life through Jesus or for the temporal things of this world?

Stay blessed,

LaraLex