INTERESTING FACTS : James Garfield, born November 19, 1831, near Orange [in Cuyahoga county], Ohio, U.S. died September 19, 1881, Elberon [now in Long Branch], New Jersey, 20th president of the United States (March 4-September 19, 1881), who had the second shortest tenure in presidential history. When he was shot and incapacitated, serious constitutional questions arose concerning who should properly perform the functions of the presidency.[1]

 

"Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. . . . [I]f the next centennial does not find us a great nation . . . it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces."[2]

 

Daily Reading : JOHN 5 - 6

 

TEXT : John  6:22 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;  6:23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)  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.  6:25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?  6:26 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.  6:27 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.  6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?  6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

 

THEME : SEEKING ETERNAL LIFE

 

John 5 

 

We have in the gospels a faithful record of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, Act_1:1. These two are interwoven, because what he taught explained what he did, and what he did confirmed what he taught. Accordingly, we have in this chapter a miracle and a sermon.  I. The miracle was the cure of an impotent man that had been diseased thirty-eight years, with the circumstances of that cure (v. 1-16).  II. The sermon was Christ's vindication of himself before the sanhedrim, when he was prosecuted as a criminal for healing the man on the sabbath day, in which,  1. He asserts his authority as Messiah, and Mediator between God and man (Joh_5:17-29).  2. He proves it by the testimony of his Father, of John Baptist, of his miracles, and of the scriptures of the Old Testament, and condemns the Jews for their unbelief (v. 30-47). [Matthew Henry][3]

 

John 6 

 

In this chapter we have,  I. The miracle of the loaves (Joh_6:1-14).  II. Christ's walking upon the water (Joh_6:15-21).  III. The people's flocking after him to Capernaum (Joh_6:22-25).  IV. His conference with them, occasioned by the miracle of the loaves, in which he reproves them for seeking carnal food, and directs them to spiritual food (Joh_6:26, Joh_6:27), showing them how they must labour for spiritual food (Joh_6:28, Joh_6:29), and what that spiritual food is (v. 30-59).  V. Their discontent at what he said, and the reproof he gave them for it (Joh_6:60-65).  VI. The apostasy of many from him, and his discourse with his disciples that adhered to him upon that occasion (Joh_6:66-71). [Matthew Henry][4]

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "INVEST YOUR TIME SEEKING GOD RATHER THAN SPENDING IT ON THINGS THAT DO NOT LAST."

 

We are told in America, to invest our money, and not merely to spend it. Certainly, we are not to waste it. We have been taught the need to put away money - "for a rainy day," which would include retirement and other needs we either will have, or may have, in the future. There is sound and reasonable advice when we are told to "invest in the future."

 

In a sense, this is the lesson Jesus teaches the multitude that came after him.  Having performed a miracle in which he multiplied a few small loaves of bread and a few fish, the crowd comes to receive more.  Specifically, they come for more food.

 

In the Gospel of John 6:22 the text states that they "came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus." Ordinarily, this would be a good thing.  Namely, people are looking for Jesus.  Further, in many Churches, this would (presumably) be the sign of a good Church.  That is, in the attempt to reach people, the Church's efforts seem to be rewarded by the people coming back.  However, in our text, Jesus gives a gentle reproof of their motive for seeking him and he takes the opportunity to teach them the truth about life.  What Jesus taught essentially was this -"invest your time seeking God (his righteousness, his kingdom) rather than spending it on things that do not last."  This is what Jesus said (meant) in his famous Sermon on Mount when he spoke these words -"seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." (Mat 26:33)

 

Jesus, in verse 26 points out these people were "seeking him," but only because they were filled with bread.  In other words, this multitude sought Jesus for the wrong reason.  It should be understood at this point, that Almighty God has every intention of taking care of your temporary needs in this life.  However, God wants you to invest your life in that which lasts forever rather than spending it on those matters (whatever pertains to this life on earth, no matter how essential, is still temporary) that will only last for a number of years.  In other words, much of people's lives are spent on things bound by the confines of time and will certainly come to an end.  By comparison, the primary mission of Jesus Christ is to impart a life ("the life") that will never end.  The life of Christ is eternal life.  The life of the flesh, of the physical body, is temporary.

 

For this reason, in John 6:27, Jesus will tell the multitude - "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." He then proceeds to tell them "for him hath God the Father sealed."  Here, Jesus indicates that he is the one, true, and only Messiah or Savior of the world.  It follows then, that the most important things that matter are the things that cannot be seen.  More specifically, it is the life that Christ gives in the inner man that is vital, critical.  This is what it means to be "born again." This is the "meat" that will never perish.

 

When Jesus is asked by the Apostles concerning his hunger in the Gospel of John 4:34, Jesus answered that his "meat" was to do the will of his Father and to finish the work his Father gave him to do.  In this statement of Jesus, you see Christ's priorities.  Namely, all of his life was consumed, or better - "invested," in spending his time on earth on things that really matter.  Of course, Jesus had the same needs you do.  He needed food, clothing, shelter, and so forth, just as you do.  Yet, he knew his Father (which, happily, is also now your Father) would provide everything he "needed." Sometimes, people are confused between "need" and "greed." However, with the immediate text in mind, the people were not coming to Jesus out of greed, but out of a (perceived) need.

 

There is an inference that Jesus would have been more pleased, or perhaps would have responded differently if the multitude had chased him because of his miraculous abilities.  In any case, Jesus reproves the crowd for following him merely for bread.  These people were in error concerning the person of Jesus Christ.  They did not realize, who was before them, and what he offered them which, was far superior to any temporary need such as food.  Remember, Jesus stated the Father would provide food, clothing, and shelter for all who seek his kingdom.  You could add, perhaps, a few other things not mentioned that are considered needs.  One example would be rest.  In any case, the reason you come to Jesus is not (merely) for those things in this life that are temporary.  You come to Jesus to receive that, which will endure forever.

 

Strangely enough, when you seek God first, you find so many other things - even those things not necessarily asked or sought for, are given to you in addition to eternal life.  Nevertheless, your priorities must be in order.  This is what Jesus teaches you here in the text.  Who is alive today that does not know one day - who knows what day - they will die?  One would guess the answer is no one.  Therefore, the salient point of this life is the next life.  This may seem strange, however many people spend their whole life either sowing and reaping the things that do not last, or trying to figure out why they are here, and what is the purpose of this life.  Therefore, when you see Jesus, you see not only the purpose of this life, but also the hope of the next - which, has no end.

 

Today, invest your time seeking Christ, his kingdom, and his righteousness.  Do not spend all of your time on those things that cannot last.  Certainly, do not "waste" your time on earth.  Rather, invest your time and talents in Christ and the things that belong to him.  If you do, you will find contentment, peace, and a joy this world cannot give neither can it take it away.