"THE MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES" -Conclusion

 Note what happened when the crowd caught up with Jesus near Capernaum. Jesus openly said that their priority was satisfying their temporary physical needs. He acknowledged that they "ate from the loaves and were satisfied" with food that perishes." He urged them to work instead for "food that remains for everlasting life."(Read John 6:26, 27.) Jesus said that his Father would provide such food. The idea that food could lead to everlasting life must have been startling! What food could possibly do that, and could Jesus' listeners receive it?

Apparently, those Jews felt that they would have to perform some acts or works to qualify to receive such food. They may have been thinking of the "works" of the Mosaic Law. However, Jesus told them: "This is the work of God, that you exercise faith in the One whom he sent." (John 6:28, 29) Exercising faith in God's representative is needed in order to "have everlasting life." In fact, Jesus previously had spoken about this. (John 3:16-18, 36) And he would later have more to say about how we gain everlasting life. - JOHN 17:3.

Those Jews did not accept Jesus' teaching about a new "work of God." They asked him: "What are you performing as a sign, so that we may see it and believe you?" (John 6:30) They mentioned that their ancestors in Moses' day had received manna, which could be likened to bread. (Nehemiah 9:15; read Psalm 78:24, 25.)  Clearly, their minds were still centered on being satisfied with literal bread. They even failed to press Jesus for clarification when he next spoke of "the true bread from heaven," which was like life-giving manna from heaven. (John 6:32) They were so focused on their physical needs that they ignored the spiritual truths that Jesus was trying to share with them. What can we learn from this account? 

Next time: OUR PRIMARY FOCUS

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