He answered, “Why are you looking for me? Is it because you saw miraculous signs? The truth is, you are looking for me because you ate the bread and were satisfied. But earthly food spoils and ruins. So don’t work to get that kind of food. But work to get the food that stays good and gives you eternal life. The Son of Man will give you that food. He is the only one qualified by God the Father to give it to you.”
John 6:26-27, Easy to Read Version

We probably all start our relationship with Jesus for what He adds to our lives. We may come to Him broken and He provides healing. We may be lost, and He shows us the way. We may be seeking to find ourselves and He provides the ultimate purpose for our lives. We may be weighed down in sin and He provides forgiveness and freedom.

While our motives may be about what we can get from Jesus when we first come to Him, our discipleship leads us to greater maturity. This is what these followers were challenged with. Jesus tells them, "You are looking for me because you ate the bread and were satisfied." We can get stuck following Jesus for what He gives us.

Jesus has a greater purpose for us. He says, "Don't work (follow me) to get that kind of food. Work for the food that stays good and gives you eternal life." The life that Jesus wants to give us is not about things, it is about Him. He is the prize. He is the Bread we seek. He becomes what we hunger for.

When we seek Jesus, we get so much more than the things He provides. We get Him. He is the Bread of Life. When we partake of Him our souls are full.

Love, Pastor Stuart