Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Craving Miracle Bread



An interesting thing happened after Jesus fed the multitude with the loaves and fishes. The crowds started tracking Him down like a pack of hound dogs. They were determined to be where He was. 

When they found Him, they were full of sweetness and light. "Oh, Rabbi. When did you get here?" As if they hadn't rowed across the Sea of Galilee at breakneck speed to find Him.

Jesus wasn't fooled. He knew they weren't there to hear good words of truth. They were there to eat bread and fish. He didn't pull any punches.

"You seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Don't work for food that perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life." John 6:26-27

Jesus knew two very important things about the crowds. Their motivation for service and their secret desires.

They weren't impressed when a broken body was restored or a broken life was transformed. They didn't care about the people to whom Jesus ministered or the signs and wonders that set people free. 

They wanted Him to do a miracle that benefitted them, to satisfy their own cravings with Miracle-Bread.

I wonder, sometimes, why we come to Jesus... Do we want the freedom for which He has set us free? Do we want to worship Him because of His goodness and holiness? Do we care about a lost and perishing world? Or do we simply want blessings for ourselves and our loved ones?

What is it that impresses us? What is the motivation behind our service? 

If we care about a perishing world, if we love the King of Kings, if we cherish the freedom He has so dearly bought, we will respond with acts of concern, love, and obedience. We will serve as He served. Love as He loved. Give as He gave. We may not be as effective, nor as whole-hearted, but love will prompt us to serve.

In case you're wondering, if our love for Christ doesn't prompt us to serve, there's something wrong. 

Today, let's ask ourselves a few hard questions and dig for the answers. 

How can the world tell we love Jesus? By words alone or by our actions? 

Why do we follow Him? For the blessings (for ourselves or our children) He can give or because of our love for Him?

If our answers aren't what they should be, let's pause now to realign our priorities with Christ's. Let's ask Him to bind our hearts and minds to His. Let's crave the Bread-Multiplier, and not the bread.
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Water-Walker in the Night 
#motivation #Jesus

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