February 7
Bible Reading: John 6:22-40
John 6:15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
John 6:26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
With five loaves and two fishes, Jesus fed the multitude. Their response was to want to make him king. One can imagine what they were thinking. They labored for their daily meals and hated that they were subject to the harsh tyranny of the Roman Empire. They envisioned Jesus as their king, who could keep their bellies full and overthrow the Romans.
Jesus would have none of that. He came not to provide physical bread that would fill our bellies, but to be the Bread of Life to satiate the hunger of our souls. We all have a desperate need of Him. The question is to what extent do we realize that? Though He can easily provide for our earthbound needs (Philippians 4:19) our needs transcend the physical. Surpassing all others is the need for the eternal and abundant life that He alone can provide through a personal relationship with Him (John 17:3, 10:10).
Why are you seeking Him? A newborn baby needs its mother. In response to hunger or a soiled diaper, the baby expresses its need with loud cries that are impossible to ignore. As a baby matures, it grows to know and appreciate his mother as a person and the virtues she bears. At the root of faith is the awareness of the need for a Savior. But then it is a work of the Spirit to unveil the beauty of Christ. We are too much like the misguided crowd or a newborn baby if our prayers ascend no higher than “Jesus give me!” Why do you seek after Jesus? A spirit born longing for Jesus is one that fills the heart with true understanding, appreciation, and love for Him for who He and all He’s done!
John Piper said it well, “(Jesus) did not come to be useful, but to be precious. Oh, how many Christians receive him as useful. Or another way to put it is: Jesus Christ did not come into the world to assist you in meeting desires you already had before you were born again. He came into the world to change your desires so that he is the main one.”
John Piper
“Jesus did not come to be useful, but to be precious.” – John Piper
YOU ARE MY ALL IN ALL
You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all
[Chorus]
Jesus Lamb of God
Worthy is your name
Jesus Lamb of God
Worthy is your name
Taking my sin my cross my shame
Rising again I bless your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down you pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all
LookingtoJesus 