A Word from John 6

In today's word from John 6, the crowds were looking for Jesus. He had recently fed a few thousand of them with a few loaves and fish (see John 6:1-15). But then, he had disappeared. And when they realized he was gone, they got in their boats and set out to find him. But here's a question for you: Were they really looking for him, or for what he could provide?

Well, when they finally tracked him down on the other side of the lake, Jesus gave the answer: "You're looking for me," he said, "not because you saw the signs I performed, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Don't work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." (Jn. 6:26-27)

Now, when I got to church this morning, there was a worship song running through my head called, "The Air I Breathe." And the chorus of that song practically cries out to Jesus, saying, "I'm  desperate for you! I'm lost without you!" But sadly, when I thought about that line, I realized that I'm rarely "desperate" for Jesus. Don't get me wrong, I want to be close to him and to be obedient to him. But most of the time, I'm able to convince myself that I can handle most of the issues in my life on my own.

In other words, like those crowds long ago, I might be desperate for what Jesus can provide (especially in a pinch). But am I genuinely desperate for him? And am I seeking the blessings that he freely offers, or am I lost without his presence, which alone can truly satisfy?

Well, I don't know about you. But I'd like to look for Jesus for all the right reasons. In the words of a prayer by A. W. Tozer: "O God, I want to want Thee. I long to be filled with longing. I thirst to be made more thirsty still."

So, may we all be desperate for Jesus today, wanting him and not just what he can give. Amen.