We continue now our verse by verse exploration through the Gospel of John. I pray God clouds our minds to the any foolishness and presses in our hearts that which is truth. I pray also that we sit and study these words with the right motivation that only His Spirit can provide.
Jhn 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;
Jhn 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:)
Jhn 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.
Jhn 6:25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
Jhn 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.
- Was there anything wrong with the peoples question to Jesus?
- What may we draw today from the rebuke here by the Lord?
Outwardly these people seem to have a true zeal for Christ. They followed Him across the Sea of Galilee and now have sought Him out once again. They honored Him, praised Him, and wanted to make Him their king. They desired to be in His company and marveled at the things He did. Though to us we see someone passionate for Christ, following crying Lord Lord, God knows their conduct and true heart and is not deceived (Mat 7:22-23). He knows that it is temporal not spiritual blessings that they seek. What some see as giving glory, God sees as blasphemy. There are no secrets from God. He knows why some people put on religious garments when it suits their purpose. Why some are so loud in their religious pretenses. Why some profess to be Christians and say they want to make Him their king. Foolishness, for God does not find honor in what we do outwardly but instead what His Son did and Spirit did inwardly. And to try or allow him to be your king is equally as foolish for He already reigns in the hearts of His elect and does not need the approval or ordination of man (I Tim 6:11). As we look back at the text we don’t really see anything wrong with their question "when camest thou". There are no problems with the people following Jesus, the hypocrisy and sin is in their motive. How we see this today with many professing Christians and messages. The problem is not as much with what is said or done but the motive. Feeding their flesh to relieve a temporal pain or emptiness instead of feasting on the Spiritual gifts that He has provided. I am not here nor will I judge a man’s motives for God alone knows the hearts of man, but oh dear reader I ask you ‘what seek ye’ (John 1:38).
