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The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (32/TBD)

Focus Text: John 6.25-27

“And when they found Him [Jesus] on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, ‘Rabbi, when did You come here?’ Jesus answered them and said, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.’” (John 6.25-27)

Is there anything wrong with seeking Jesus? After all, didn’t He say to ask, seek, and knock so that certain things could be added to us (see Matthew 7.7)? Is there anything wrong with seeking food? After all didn’t one of Jesus’ own apostles say, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat,” (2 Thessalonians 3.10)? Yet, if one reads closely the words of the focus text, Jesus was critical of people who sought Him and also critical of some who sought “the loaves” (physical food). How is it that seeking Jesus could ever be wrong? How is it that working for “the food which perishes” could ever be wrong? Today’s devotional will address both of these questions and provide, at least for some people, some surprising answers!

Sometimes it is improper to seek Jesus! Here is a principle that must always be considered in spiritual pursuits: Motive in not everything, but motive is essential! When one seeks Jesus for improper motives, non-pursuit is a better option. Toward the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, some sought Jesus to kill Him; certainly their motives and actions were incorrect. However, in today’s focus text, some sought Jesus for otherwise legitimate reasons, but for reasons which were totally inadequate from a spiritual perspective. Their motives were principally driven by the desire for the physical and not the spiritual. In other words, they had their priorities mixed up! Jesus made this clear during the Sermon on the Mount when He said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6.33). The clear implication is that there is an order in which spiritual pursuits must be practiced, otherwise the result will be only physical!

Secondly, it is not wrong to labor for perishable things (food, clothing, shelter, etc.); however, when our pursuit of these things overshadows our pursuit of spiritual things, God is not pleased. That was the specific flaw that Jesus addressed in the focus text. Jesus did not contradict Paul nor vise versa; it was simply a matter of motive and priority. Once again the principle of seeking first the kingdom of God comes into play.

What we learn from all of this is that otherwise good and wholesome activities can become sinful when they are not pursued with appropriate motives and/or priorities! In choosing our actions from day to day, we should not only ask if God has authorized the thing I am about to do, we should also ask if He approves the reason and the priorities involved in the doing of it. No, motive is not everything, but it is something that God will not overlook; after all, Jesus came to rule in our hearts and not with a rod of iron!

Questions:

1. Why did Jesus criticize the multitude who sought Him from the other side of the sea?

2. For what did He tell them to labor? Where were they to obtain these things? Did He tell them not to labor for perishable things? Was this an absolute prohibition, or a relative one?

3. If someone is “forced” into obeying God (e.g. baptizing a baby, or “coerced conversion”), have they really obeyed God? Why or why not?

4. What is implied from the fact that Jesus seeks to rule in our hearts? What has this to do with motive? Obedience? Priorities?

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Comfort in Isaiah II (12-14-10)