John 6:22-29
On the next day the
people who remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only
one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but
that his disciples had gone away alone. However, boats from Tiberias came near
the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the
people saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got
into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the
other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come
here?" Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me,
not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not
labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal
life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set
his seal." Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the
works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that
you believe in him whom he has sent."
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What do you most
hunger for – wealth, peace, health, love, the good life? Jesus addressed this
issue with those who sought him after the miracle of the multiplication of the
loaves. Were they simply hungry for things which satisfy the body or for that
which satisfies the heart and soul? Jesus echoes the question posed by the
prophet Isaiah: "Why do you spend your money for that which is not
bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?" There are two
kinds of hunger – physical and spiritual. Only God can satisfy the hunger in
our heart and soul – the hunger for truth, for life, and for love.
Jesus also spoke
about the works of God and what we must do to be doing the works of
God, namely to believe in God's Son whom he has sent into the world.
Jesus offers a new relationship with God which issues in a new kind of life: A
life of love and service, and the forgiveness of others which corresponds to
God's mercy and kindness; a life of holiness and purity which corresponds to
God's holiness; and a life of submission and trust which corresponds to the
wisdom of God. This is the work which Jesus directs us to and enables us to
perform in the power of the Holy Spirit. Do you hunger for the bread which
comes down from heaven and thirst for the words of everlasting life?
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"Lord Jesus, you
alone can satisfy the deepest longing and hunger in our hearts. May I always
hunger for the imperishable bread, that I may be satisfied in you alone as the True
Bread of Heaven. Nourish and strengthen me that I may serve you with great
joy, generosity, and zeal all the days of my life".
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