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In our passage from John today, Jesus has just feed the 5000. He’s currently being chased down by those in the area not unlike fans of the Beatles did.
But as Jesus points out, they are seeking after Him for the wrong reasons.
The people are looking for a miracle that will fill their bellies, not one that will feed their souls. This will continue to be a conflict throughout John 6.
One of the things we forget is the importance of an active life of prayer and public worship to nurture our relationship with God and thus our spiritual health. It is not unlike everything we make New Year resolutions. Good exercise and a healthy diet strengthen our bodies. Therapy and mindfulness exercises help our mental health. Even brushing our teeth and flossing helps enrich our lives. Taking care of our spiritual health reaches at something even deeper than all these other regular activities can do.
Don’t be like those seeking Jesus after the feeding of the 5000. Don’t look for Jesus because of something physical He can do for you. Seek after Jesus because of what He can do for your souls, and encourage all others, especially those not here, to do the same.