Day 287, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Mark 6:45-46; Matthew 14:22-36; John 6:16-24; John 6:25-71
Searching for Meaning in Life
People who are really poor search for the most basic necessities— food, clothing, and shelter. Most of us are not poor by the world’s standards, but what are we searching for in this life? Are we looking for a new car, entertainment center, stylish clothing, or a new house? Are we looking for a good job, a caring mate, wealth, prestige, or success? Are we looking for meaning in life or social justice? Where can it be found?
Does our Search for Meaning in Life Necessitate a Political Revolution?
In Jesus’ day, the ordinary Jews were financially disadvantaged, and many were slaves. They wanted someone who would feed them and save them from Roman oppression. Could this be Jesus, they wondered? The Lord genuinely cared about them and healed their diseases. He miraculously fed 5,000 men plus women and children by multiplying a mere five loaves of barley bread and two fish. Surely, someone with such compassion and power would be able to deliver them. They were pretty impressed with Jesus and wanted to make him king.
Unfortunately, they had the wrong motivation for knowing Jesus. They sought political solutions to their problems. Don’t we do the same thing? If we can just get the right politician in government, they will save us from our problems. Some even want to overturn our government for a political solution to the corruption in our government. The truth is that there is corruption in every human government. What we need is a change of heart and life, which is only possible through a relationship with Jesus, God’s Son
Our Search for Meaning in Life begins with Whom or What we are Trusting
The same night, after Jesus miraculously fed the 5,000, he dismissed the crowd. He then sends his disciples away on a boat. He wants to spend time alone, praying to God, his Father and will join them afterward.
Later that night, Jesus walks on the waters of Galilee to reunite with his disciples. They have been rowing hard against a strong wind on the lake.
When they see Jesus walking toward them on the water, they are afraid, thinking he is a ghost. Jesus tells them not to be fearful because he is not a spirit.
Without thinking, Peter asks to join him. “Come!” Jesus says. Peter takes a few steps but then becomes fearful. Taking his eyes off Jesus, he begins to sink. He cries out to the Lord to save him, and Jesus reaches out to catch him.
Peter and the other disciples failed to remember that Jesus was able to do the impossible— they forgot how powerful he was to multiply the loaves and fish. It might be tempting for us to be critical of the twelve. But we, too, are human and are often subject to fear when situations seem impossible. We fail to remember the things God has done for us.
Remembering the things which God has done for us gives us faith; forgetting them leaves us fearful. We become afraid and begin to sink when we take our eyes off Jesus.
The next day, the crowd returns to look for the miracle worker. They know the only boat on the shore carried his disciples away, but Jesus did not go with them. Not finding him by the beach, they take off on dinghies and find him in Capernaum. Jesus knows, however, why they are searching for him.
Jesus says to 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, NIV).
Why do we seek Jesus—to Find Meaning in Life or Something Else?
Do we follow Jesus for what we can get out of him? Some people associate themselves with Christians because they know that many are kind and generous like the Lord. Christians are sometimes easily deceived, but Jesus is not. He says to the crowd,
“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.” [emphasis mine]
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” (John 6:27-29, NIV).
By saying this, Jesus doesn’t mean they are to work for their salvation. No, God only requires that they believe the Son of God has been sent from heaven to give his life for the world. We all need a personal relationship with God through his Son, Jesus Christ (more...).. This is eternal life and is a much more worthy pursuit than riches or a comfortable lifestyle.
Every parent knows how Jesus feels. Mom and Dad want love from their child, teen, or adult, not because they have the ability to give their children things, but because they gave them life and love. What is our motivation for seeking God?
The Search for Meaning Involves a Test
To weed out the loyal followers from those who only follow Jesus for personal gain, he expresses himself to the crowds and his disciples in a way that might be interpreted as deplorable! Jesus says he is the bread of life which came from heaven, and that people need to eat him and drink his blood to have everlasting life. This sounds like cannibalism. People are disgusted and confused with Jesus, and they leave him. Even some of the larger groups of his followers go away.
What did Jesus mean when he said they needed to eat him and drink his blood to have everlasting life? We know what he means because Jesus later explains it to his twelve disciples. The Lord says, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63, NIV). In other words, Jesus is communicating spiritual truth. He is the source of life, the bread from heaven who gives spiritual life to everyone who trusts (or partakes of) him for their salvation. Have we made this commitment to trust in Christ for our salvation?
Our search for meaning is complete in Jesus. If we seek a real relationship with him and seek to do his will, we will find a purpose in our life.
This is eternal life and is a much more worthy pursuit than riches or a comfortable lifestyle.
Discussion
People seek meaning in their lives. Where are they searching?
