Missing the Point

The Living Bread

John 6:35, 14-70

The days of end time revival have started but greater things are yet to come. We are entering a season of an unprecedented move of God. A time believers will no longer chase after miracles but signs and miracles will chased after them. Time to experience outstanding manifestations of God’s ability to bless his people has come. This work of God will evoke motions and emotions of excitement. Many will see opportunity for material gain, convenience and easy life as God relieves them of their burdens. There will be throngs around Jesus. The crowd of people seeking and serving Jesus will be for mixed reasons. Will God find people who can maintain the priority of a fortified foundation of faith?

Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fishes to feed over 5000 people (John 6:14f). He felt compassion for them and provided their need for food. He used the little provision of a small boy who was willing to give up his little for Jesus to feed the multitude. Twelve leftover baskets were collected. God wants to provide you with more than enough so that can have left over to be bless others with.

The crowd was so excited about the miracle that they wanted to make him king. They believed he was the one like Moses to come and deliver them from Roman rule. He was the messiah who did miracles, multiplied food like Moses who provided manna and healed their sicknesses (Deuteronomy 18:15). Jesus and the disciples withdrew from the crowd and went to the other side of the sea. The crowd however searched everywhere for him and pursued him to the other side. They sought for him, risked their lives and made sacrifices to find him (John 6:25).

Jesus challenged their motives. He said you have come because you want food not because you understand what my miracles signify. He said to them that they are looking for earthly bread that gives temporal life. He however was the living bread from heaven that gave eternal life. They wanted something material but he came to give spiritual bread (John 6:51). Unless they ate his body and drank his blood, they could not have eternal life. They missed the point – the crucified Jesus. Eating him was to abandon their selfish agenda and place all trust in him.  Instead, they turned away from Him offended. A weak relational foundation in the Lord Jesus inevitably ends in wrong response to offense. Sometimes God does not do things the way we expect. God was using the material miracles to illustrate and draw attention to the spiritual. They were so preoccupied with earthly well being, social advantage and political power that they failed where it really mattered. Thy failed the test to prove their trust.

Thank God that while the crowd deserted Jesus the disciples remained because they were following for different reasons. Peter said ‘Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life’. They also did not understand. They were also tempted to give up. They too wanted Jesus to be King. They too wanted earthly influence and prestige. Nevertheless, they saw an opportunity for recommitment to following the Lord. They thought whatever happened it was better with God. Even if there was no heaven, life with Christ is still the best life. Every other ground is sinking sand. Everything else is for a short season and is hollow. Christ is the seven ‘I ams’ in the book of John. I am the bread of life (John 6:35). I am the light of the world (John 8:12). I am the door (John 10:7). I am the good shepherd (John 10:11). I am the resurrection and life (John 11:25). I am the way the truth and the life (John 14:6). I am the true vine (John 15:1).

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa