Lasting Value

In John 6, we see a huge crowd following Jesus in Capernaum. Jesus had performed His most popular miracle ever: the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus had taken the little boy’s lunch and blessed it and multiplied it. Everyone was filled. They thought, This is great. Not only does He teach us, not only does He dazzle us with miracles, but He gives us a free meal.

When the crowd pursued Him afterward, Jesus 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. 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." (John 6:26–27)

Essentially Jesus said to them, "Let’s skip the formality. I know why you are here. Stop laboring for the bread that simply fills your stomach. I am the Bread of Life. I want you to focus on spiritual things. I didn’t do that miracle to just feed you that day. I was trying to teach you something more. Don’t labor for the food that perishes."

Jesus was saying that life is more than the things of this earth. Life is more than food. Life is more than clothing. Life is more than possessions. Life is more than a career. Life is more than the pursuit of success. Believe in Him, and eat the Bread of Life.