The day before, Jesus had fed more than five thousand people with a boy's lunch. The next morning the crowd found Him across the lake and wanted more. But Jesus saw what they were really after.
Looking for Loaves
“Ye seek me,” He told them, “not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.” (v. 26) They brought up Moses and the manna their fathers ate in the wilderness. Jesus answered that manna fed the body for a day, but the true bread comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. When they said, “Lord, evermore give us this bread,” He replied with the first of His “I AM” statements.
He Is the Bread
Look at what He is saying. He does not say He gives bread, or points to bread. He says He is the bread. You do not receive His blessings while keeping Him at a distance. You receive Him.
And He adds a promise: “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (v. 37) No one who comes hungry is turned away.
Manna had to be gathered fresh every morning. It could not be stored, and what was kept overnight spoiled. That is how we relate to Christ. Yesterday's time with Him does not carry you through today.
Hunger is honest. It tells us we were made to be filled by something outside ourselves. The trouble comes when we try to feed that hunger with approval, achievement, comfort, or distraction, and find that we are hungry again an hour later. Jesus says that He alone satisfies at the deepest level, because He is the life we were made for.
To Whom Shall We Go?
Many followed Him for the loaves and left when His teaching got hard. Jesus asked the twelve if they would leave too. Peter answered for all of them: “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” (v. 68)
Something to carry today: Ask what you are hungry for right now, and whether you have been looking for it anywhere other than Jesus. Come to Him fresh this morning, for who He is and not only for what He gives.
Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life. Forgive me for running to lesser things to fill what only You can satisfy. Teach me to come to You fresh each day, to take of You and not only of Your gifts. I believe on You, and I will not go away. In Jesus' name, Amen.