Jesus Attracts and Repels (so should we)

Hi everyone, welcome back to the Blog. Today, we'll be studying from the insightful John Chapter 6. 

JESUS ATTRACTS    

Jesus feeds the Five Thousand

The scene takes place in Jesus's hometown of Galilee, where a large crowd began to follow him because of the signs he performed by healing the sick. Out of compassion for them that had followed him, he wanted to give them something to eat, seeing how late it was. The only challenge was that there was not enough food to feed such a large group of people. Once again, Jesus performed a great miracle in their presence. He uses a boy's lunch to feed the crowd with just five loaves of bread and two fishes. Just when they thought there was nothing else to behold, Jesus astonished the crowd even more, and their attraction for Him grew even more.  After this, Jesus left the crowd to pray alone to see what His father wanted concerning this new attraction and popularity He'd come to find. He also sent His disciples ahead of him, I imagine, so he could openly be alone with His father, without noise or distraction. 

JESUS REPELS

Let's fast-forward to vs.24: " So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25: When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said, Rabbi, when did you come here? 26: Jesus answered them, Very truly I tell you, you're looking for me, not because of the signs I showed you, but because you ate your fill of the loaves." In other words, you do not want me because you believe in me, but only for a free meal; you only want me because of what I can give and do for you! 

The crowd became attracted to him only for selfish gain. Once Jesus spoke the truth to the people who were chasing after him for the wrong reasons, they quickly repelled and left. What was the state of their hearts? More importantly, why are we following Him as Christians? This is an important question that we should always search and ask ourselves. Is it because we believe in him as the bread of life and accept that only He can fill us and give unto us eternal life, or do we just see Him as the giver? the provider, our way-maker..better known as the prosperity gospel, where if we're not prudent, we can treat our God like a magician, or a genie in a lamp. Just give me what I need, and I'll continue to follow you. Jesus says I am the Bread of life in vrs 35, whoever comes to me shall not hunger and believe in me, shall not thirst. 

Jesus's truth can hit hard; for some, it may cause rebelliousness as we harden our hearts away from Christ. For others, it immediately repels because they followed Christ for all the wrong reasons. This is a call to search our hearts and motives in our walk with God. Jesus says that the bread (in other words, things) we are asking him for is not the bread we need. And who knows what we need better than our heavenly father who sent His Son?

To be honest, I think we've all been there as Christians, where we catch fire through our excitement of God's blessings and wonderous miracles, especially in our personal lives. **Insert Praise Dance!!** God already knows our motives; he sees our hearts and knows exactly what's in them, and the sad truth is it isn't always HIM. May God help us to hunger and thirst only for HIM according to his word vr 54: "Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks of my blood has eternal life, vr 55: For my flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink." 

PRAYER: Father, give me your spirit of discernment and wisdom to attract the right things in my life. Father, if I've attracted negative habits, disobedience, unfruitful ways, or even relationships not in alignment with your will for my life, let me repel them. Cut and clear the way to your path of righteousness and holiness in my life. Let me work and serve you with a genuine heart, not for what you can do for me or for the many blessings I'll receive for following after you. Father, I receive you now, as you are the BREAD OF LIFE, according to your word in John 6: 56 "whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him"  Amen.