John 6:24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. 25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? 26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Why seek Jesus? When we consider ourselves as followers of Jesus Christ, we are all a testimony of a relationship with Jesus.We called on the Lord and he established this relationship; we didn’t. It’s through the cross that we have a much-needed Savior. Everything God does for us he does through his son–through the cross not around it. When we seek God, it must be through the cross. The traveling of our request and God’s response to it go through the cross.
Our spiritual man is of first importance; the physical is second. The key is to ask in Jesus’ name as Savior, High Priest, friend, helper, and mediator. He’s our Master and judge. See how encompassing it is! Prayer is not calling on a medium. It’s connecting heart and soul with God through Jesus. The storehouse is full but the way to is is through Jesus. He said I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. It’s a two-way thing–the way for us to come to God and the way the Holy God reaches us.
If a person’s heart is not right with God, there is the problem. People seek God in some other way and wonder why he isn’t listening. Some pray regularly but their heart isn’t right with God. Jesus must have first place in our life, no us. Because we’ve prayed to receive Christ, we think God is obligated to answer the way we want. There is no other medium to reach God. We must go through Jesus. The top of the cross reaches to heaven. The beams reach out as an embrace. It marked Jesus for all eternity by the crown of thorns, the nail in his hands and feet and the spear in his side. He has outstretched hands that still bear those scars. As you look up to him you see those scars.
We are constantly wounded and Jesus bore those wounds. The healing comes through what he accomplished by his death and resurrection on the third day. When Jesus ascended to the Father it was in that body. He’s now at the Father’s right hand with those scars. When the devil jabs he may pierce us but he can’t hurt us. When we seek God, it must be through Jesus.
The multitude saw Jesus and his disciples were gone. Some got on a ship and others went by land and found them. They were on the other side of the sea. I’m glad Jesus is on the other side, but he’s on this side and in the middle of whatever we go through. When we seek him for the right reasons we’ll find him. People who haven’t prayed for years think they can just ask God for something and it ought to happen. God doesn’t work like that. Jesus said we are to seek God first before we seek other things for us. The people asked Jesus why he went away. We have to grow and pay attention to our spiritual life. When we put everything before the Lord, what do we expect? Jesus told them they sought him for the wrong reason. He had fed them and that’s all they wanted, another meal. They wanted full bellies not to listen to his teaching. We need to listen to what Jesus says before we experience other things. The need of the soul is paramount to the needs of life. The Lord must be first. When we put him where he should be we can ask anything.
Why do we seek him? Is it only because there’s a need; something has gone bad. Is the money short because we blew it on something we shouldn’t have? Now we want God to provide. When he doesn’t come through we say we won’t trust him. We look at God like a Santa Claus. We need to look at having a right relationship with God. It’s a privilege to walk with God and have him walk with us. We need to get back under the shadow of God. We are called to believe on Jesus and the God who sent him.
What are we seeking today? Revival? Do we hope God will get hold of so and so. We see what others need. What about me? What about you? Can each of us say about the revival–”let it being in me.” We have to see ourselves how we are. Jesus was glad to provide food for these people but he didn’t come to give us a life free of troubles and trials. He came to seek and save the lost. He came to establish himself in our heart and us in God’s.
So the people said to Jesus: What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered: This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They asked for a sign saying Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Jesus told them that bread was not the true bread. He is that bread that comes down from heaven to give light to the world. God provided for Israel daily. Jesus is the living bread. Partake of him and have everlasting life. Before you eat another biscuit think about how long its been since you took a bite of the living bread. There is no better enjoyment than tasting the Lord. The Bible tells us to taste and see that he is good.
Seek Jesus for your heart, soul and spirit. You’ll get more than you ever imagined.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 