Eternally Satisfying Life

Pause:

Before you start reading this devotional, take a moment to stop what you’re doing, slow down, and focus on Jesus.

Pray and ask Him to open your eyes to see as you read the Scriptures, and to open your ears to hear as you wait on the leading of the Spirit.

Read:

John 6:26-29: 'Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal of approval on him. '“What can we do to perform the works of God?” they asked. Jesus replied, “This is the work of God — that you believe in the one he has sent.” ' 

John 6:44-48: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day. 'It is written in the Prophets: And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father comes to me — not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God. He has seen the Father. “Truly I tell you, anyone who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.' 

Going Deeper:

I remember a time in my life when I was in pain amidst some difficult circumstances. I cried out to God for relief and comfort. He met me right where I was and I slowly healed. After the pain subsided I tipped my cap at God and carried on with my life.

At that time, my faith consisted largely of going to God in my time of need and not much else. Later, I found Him calling me to get to know and follow Him, even if it meant discomfort. Jesus was offering me not relief from life's circumstances, but Himself. I faced a crossroads which I can sum up with this question: "Do I want the gift or the Giver?" This dilemma revealed my heart's true desire.

In John 6, the crowds face a similar choice. Only one day earlier, Jesus miraculously fed thousands of people with just two pieces of fish and five loaves of bread. Then, they went looking for Him and when they found Him he said, "You are seeking me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves." In other words, you're here looking for a snack, not a Savior.

Jesus cares and can bring comfort in difficult times like these. There's more to knowing Him, however. Jesus is God's bread from heaven who offers an eternally satisfying life. The people in John 6, tragically, turned Him down and rejected God's offer of life. Even as they starved spiritually, they would not bring themselves to eat.

I wish I didn't understand what the people were thinking, but I do. For years, I rejected Jesus, too. I wanted the gift more than the Giver. I did not want Him, only relief.

When push came to shove, I didn't want to face the issues in my heart. Instead of asking the question, "Why is this more important than Jesus?" I let it be. I didn't deal with it. I didn't ask for anyone's help. I asked no one to pray. I sought no counsel. I didn't seek or invite a challenge or heed any warnings. Even though Jesus was calling me, I stopped up my ears, shut my eyes, and hardened my heart. I got what I wanted, which ended up being a season of desert wandering, seemingly going in circles, without direction.

What changed me? John 6:45 says, "It is written in the Prophets: And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father comes to me." Jesus here quotes Isaiah 54:13 which asserts that God's people will find a "new, direct, internal relationship with Him" as one commentator puts it. According to Jesus, I needed God Himself to intervene. That's exactly what He did! He opened my eyes and ears and softened my heart. He helped me see the beauty of His mercy in a way I wouldn't have without the wandering, which served to make me hungry for Him. He's promised to nourish me amidst the challenges that come my way, and He's delivered.

As I pondered this passage and my life, I realized two things: 1) I am hopelessly lost without Him, and 2) He graciously saves and satisfies me. When I remember these things, I want to live full of joy and gratitude, no matter the circumstances.

Today, as you think about your life, do you feel like grumbling or gratitude best describes your heart posture? These are hard times. The world is uncertain, things are constantly changing, and we may feel a bit motion sick from all the ups-and-downs in life. Even so, we have a God who has revealed His gracious Son to us and offers to satisfy us even in the hard times, not just in the future when things change. Is He satisfying to you in these lean times? If not, why not? What do you seek?

Let's be careful not to set our hope on food that spoils and doesn't satisfy. Let's freely receive the true bread from heaven sent by the Father! He alone offers an eternally satisfying life.

Pray:

Respond to God in prayer by speaking to Him about what stood out to you from this passage this morning.

Listen:

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you this morning?

Apply:

What are you going to do in response to what God is saying to you from the text and by the Spirit?