The Hard Truth

Part 1

“Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the sea of Galilee (that is, the sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick.”
John 6:1-2

The gathering of the multitudes on the far shore of the sea of Galilee set the stage for one of the greatest miracles found in scripture- the feeding of the five thousand. Because of it’s miraculous nature, it is remembered as a highlight of Jesus’ ministry. Thousands sat captivated by His teaching and were fed by His disciples after He had blessed the two fish and five loaves. However, as often as we have study this passage, we fail to remember the controversy that followed within hours of this amazing event:

“From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”

John 6:66

Within 24 hours of the last morsels of food being collected, Jesus went from having a “crowd” of followers to a “handful” of disciples. After His encounter with the multitudes Jesus returned to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Realizing He was gone the people went in search for Him. Upon finding Him in Capernaum, Jesus told them:

“I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.”
John 6:26

It is here that Jesus begins to expose and weed out those people who are following Him from wrong motives. The first group that He identifies are those who followed Him simply to have their needs met. There were those who came looking for Him who were not as concerned about “seeing God” as they were about getting their next meal. The spiritual component of what took place the day before was lost on them. They only hungered after Him because they had a need. He told them:

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

John 6:27

After exposing the this crowd another group then emerges from among them. This group didn’t come seeking food, but rather they came in search of another miracle:

“Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’ So they asked him, ‘What miraculous sign will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?”

John 6:28-30

In other words, “If you don’t do anything ‘visible’ in my life, I won’t believe. I won’t follow you.” For these people, as long as God is answering their prayers, working supernaturally in their church services, and acknowledging their spiritual giftings…they are eager to follow. However, if that dries up, they are off to greener pastures. Jesus described them in John 4:48 this way:

“Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “ you will never believe.”

However, the most difficult group Jesus had yet to confront were those who appeared to be closest to Him. They were not there to be fed or to see another miracle, but would they still follow when the truth was no longer easy to swallow?







Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/