Most are familiar with the miracle Jesus performed when He fed the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. This post is about what happened after that miracle. In the book of John, chapter 6, it tells us that there were people who witnessed the miracle and they were seeking/looking for Jesus. When they found Him in another town they asked ‘Rabbi, when did You come here?’. Let’s read Jesus’ response:
‘Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.‘– John 6:26 (NKJV).
Jesus saw their hearts, they were seeking Him because they wanted more bread not because they wanted Him. Aren’t we the same? How often do we seek God for what He can give us rather than for more of Him? How many times are our hearts after His hand rather than His face? His gifts rather than His heart?
Now it is not wrong to ask the Lord for things, in fact we are encouraged to ask countless times in the word (Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:5-9; John 14:13-14; James 1:5). The issue is when the things become our main pursuit.
Imagine a marriage where the only time the wife speaks to her husband is when she wants something. One would question if the wife genuinely loves her husband or is only interested in what the husband can give her. It is similar in our relationship with the Lord. The greatest command we have been given is to love Him with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength (Matthew 22:36-37). Let that sink in, the greatest command is that we love Him.
When seeking a king for Israel the Lord chose David, but why? Was it that he was more muscular than other men? Or maybe he came from the wealthiest family? Or possibly he had the best education? It is neither of those reasons or other reasons one may look for when choosing a king. The Bible tells us that God chose David to be the king because he was a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Would the Lord say the same thing about you?
Now David was not a perfect man, he often fell into sin but he was quick to run back to God in repentance. It was David who wrote Psalm 27, where he stated in verse 4 this profound statement:
‘One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.’- Psalm 27:4 (NKJV) (emphasis added). Wow the one thing David desired and sought after was to be with the Lord and to behold His beauty. Could we wholeheartedly say the same thing?
Paul the great apostle, told the Philippians that everything which once meant something to him he now counts as rubbish and what does he now want? ‘that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings…’- Philippians 3:10a (NKJV) (emphasis added). His main pursuit was to know the Lord, in His power and His suffering. Is that our pursuit too?
It is important that we examine ourselves often, as it is so easy for us to get sidetracked and to even deceive ourselves in this walk. When two of John the baptist’s disciples decided to follow Jesus, Jesus asked them a question which I will leave with you. Really ponder on this question, examine your heart and get right before God.
‘The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”…’– John 1:37-38a (NKJV) (emphasis added).
Selah.
