Sweeter Than Food
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One of my sisters went for a camp meeting for children when she was very young. When they came back from the camp, her Pastor, who was very fond of her asked her:
“Hadassah, how was the camp?”
She answered very excitedly,
“Pastor, the food was nice!”
In her young mind, the nice food was the highlight of the entire camp meeting! A lot of people might find this a bit funny, or unusual, but it is not. As children, we were all lured by candies, biscuits, ice creams and other goodies; to do things we would never have done. One of my children would normally hang around the Mom in church, but quickly rush to the Sunday School when the siblings come up with toffees and biscuits!
When Children pursue Jesus because of what they will get, He understands perfectly that they are children. But when adults do so, then there is a big problem.
He took this monster by the horns when it cropped up.
READ John 6:25-29
“And when they found Him 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.”
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:25-29 NKJV)
Jesus had just fed the five thousand (John 6:1-13); and escaped because he perceived they wanted to catch Him and make Him King by force.
Somehow, the people pursued Him by boats the next day to Capernaum! But Jesus knew exactly why they were pursuing Him, and did not mince words when He told them:
“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.” (vs. 26)
Jesus, being both human and divine, feels the same way we feel when all people do is to “use us to solve their problems!” Such people don’t really care about you; and the day they stop getting from you, is the day they disappear from your life! In biology, we call it a parasitic relationship; as in the “hangers-on” are all parasites like worms, lice and leeches! Purely a relationship of convenience and cannot be relied on! In my experience as a counselor, I have seen so many people come to church with needs (mostly financial), and when not met the way they want, they just leave! It is very sad.
Jesus, just like we humans, wants something permanent and reliable; people who would love Him not because of what they get, but because of who He is. He wants us to love Him unconditionally, and bring others to Him!
So he told them,
“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.”(vs. 27)
Jesus main pre-occupation is not to provide needs; but to give us eternal life. Having the power to provide needs, He would still do that, but that is not the main thing!
He would tell us:
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 8:36-37)
and also tell us:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 8:33)
He wants us to believe that He is the Son of God, who came to die for our sins so that we will be saved. Everything He does is for this purpose; and everything else is secondary! He wants a relationship, sweeter than food!
Will you believe Him?
MEMORY VERSE
“Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life.” (John 6:27)
QUESTIONS
1. What do you pursue Jesus for?
2. Do you know He can give you more than you desire; a permanent and eternal relationship?
(Go to: http://mytd.org/2020/01/15/believers-prayer/ if you don’t know what to do.)
PRAYER TIP
Almighty Father, open our eyes to see that we have a place at the table as heirs; so that we stop collecting scraps from the floor!
Written by:
BENNY MALM
For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL
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