Do you know people who refuse to trust in Christ because of something negative that happened in their life. These people typically believe that God abandoned them at their deepest point of need. They think that if God truly loved them, then he would not have allowed this particular event to occur in their life. John 6:22-27 gives us some insight into how we can better understand these people.
Chapter 6 begins with Jesus’s miraculous feeding of the 5000, in which he gave the people their fill of bread and fish (vv. 1-15). Jesus then sends his disciples to the other side of the sea, dismisses the crowd, and goes up on the mountain to pray. (vv. 16-17). After the disciples had traveled 3 or 4 miles, Jesus came to them, walking on the water: he calmed their fears, got into the boat with them, and they completed the journey (vv. 18-21). These events set the stage for what comes next. When morning came, the people realized that Jesus and his disciples had gone to the other side of the lake (v. 22). So they went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus (vv. 23-24). Upon arriving in Capernaum, the people found Jesus and asked, “Rabbi, when did you come here (v. 25)?” Jesus then responded with these words, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you (vv. 26-28).” In other words, you are seeking me, not for me, but for what I can give you.
These scathing words from Christ have had me thinking about how we frequently come to Christ, not for a relationship with him, but for what he can do for us. At times we can view Christ as a way to endure trials, escape Hell or, obtain Heaven. This understanding of Christ views him as the means to an end. Christ, however, cannot be seen as the means to an end, he must be the end. If we approach God, thinking that we can get from him all that we want, then we will experience disapointment at every turn. If, however, we approach Christ, seeking him and only him, then our metaforical bellies will be filled. What do you expect from your relationship with Christ? How will you respond if these expectations are not met? Will you blame God, or will you find contentment in the gospel of Jesus Christ no matter the outcome?