Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: Gospel, John 6:22-35

John 6:22-35

Every time I set myself to read the Gospel through John, or even to spend time in just a section of it, I come away amazed at its “density.” What do I mean by that? Well, it is wonderful to read the gospel just to read it. But in nearly every distinct section there are allusions to the Old Testament, to important persons, to great and lofty theology or teaching. It is just so full. And of course, the focus and pinnacle of John’s gospel is the Lord Jesus.

Jesus has just fed the five thousand and then crossed Galilee in a miraculous fashion prompting those who find him to question, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Miracles bending nature to His will. Before their eyes. Granting them personal benefit. Can you just imagine what it would have been like to personally experience the multiplication of five little loaves and two fish to feed thousands?! And knowing, yes knowing that there was only one explanation for how Jesus got from one side of the Galilee to the other? 

Jesus chastises those encountering him on the shore by saying in effect, “All this I have done in your presence and you're worried most about what’s coming at the next mealtime.” I think there is a pointed lesson for us right here in John 6. And that is that with all the miraculous things Jesus has done, and continues to do for us, we are more interested in stuff that makes us look good, or gives ease to our consciences, or yes even puts food on our tables. We take our children to church to make sure they don’t grow up as immoral adults. We attend church to continue to bolster our position in the community, although today the church is often seen as a drain to and by the culture. Or we simply abuse the gathering of the saints as a place “to see my friends.”

Jesus seeks quickly to put an end to all that nonsense in His case by calling people to the glory of believing the gospel, living by the gospel, and banking all they have on the gospel. If you’re not enamored with the Word of God, with gathering for worship, and with seeking Him earnestly with the community to which you belong, perhaps you lack clarity of just why it is that Jesus was good enough to reveal Himself to you. Perhaps it’s time for some self-reflection.

What are we after?