John chapter 6 is 71 verses filled with many truths that are vital to our daily Christian walk. In this chapter, Jesus miraculously feeds 5000 (possibly up to 20,000, since only the men are counted), He walks on water, and He discusses being the “Bread of Life”.
I would like to focus on verse 15:
“Jesus saw that they were ready to take him by force and make him king, so he went higher into the hills alone.”
After the people had seen Jesus heal the lame man in Chapter 5 and then here in Chapter 6, see Him feed the 5000+ from 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, they wanted to follow Him. The people were enamored by the miraculous things they saw Him do. They were amazed because they thought He could be useful to them also. He could heal their diseases, feed them, and provide for what they might need.
Is this what we see Jesus for in our life?
Do we follow Him and pray prayers for what we think we need and what He can provide?
The people were focused on what Jesus could provide, not that He was the creator of these miracles. The people were so impressed with Jesus and what He could do for them that they wanted to make Him King.
With all this excitement and people following Him, Jesus needed some time away from the crowds, so He went up into the mountains alone. He has been separated from His Father whom He longs to fellowship with. Can you imagine being the Son of God, yet physically separated from God, your Father?
I have been separated from my husband for the past two weeks as He is in China on a work trip. I have longed for the sound of His voice and his help and encouragement while he is gone. Jesus must have felt this longing x100 when He went to be alone with God. Sometimes we forget that Jesus suffered weariness just as we do. He was able to slip away from this huge crowd that wanted His miracles and be with His Father.
Do we take the time to escape all the business of our day to spend time with the Father? Do we get alone with Him and thank Him for our blessings and ask Him to direct our paths according to His wisdom? Or, are we like the followers in this passage and follow Him to get what we think we need and want?
Let us Love Jesus for Who He Is…The Christ that came to die on the cross for our sins. He came so that we might have life. All He asks is that we BELIEVE. Verse 29 says, Jesus told them, “This is what God wants you to do: Believe in the one he has sent.”
Do we use Him for what He can provide us or do we LOVE Him?