Jesus: “The truth of the matter is that you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you believe in me.” John 6:26 TLB
The shallow soil, the heart that hears the Word with joy and excitement but fades quickly, is a fickle heart. Fickle hearts know little of true commitment. Jesus spoke to these shallow-soil people bluntly. He had fed the huge crowd, and they followed Him, looking for and asking for more miracles. They said they wanted to be able to do the works that He did. Jesus told them that He Himself was the bread of life. He was what they really needed, not the works. They began to murmur and complain. They began discontentedly discussing among themselves. “What is He talking about? Who does He think He is, anyway? We know His mother and father. He is the carpenter’s son. This is ridiculous.”
They replied, “You must show us more miracles if you want us to believe you are the Messiah. Give us free bread every day, like our fathers had while they journeyed through the wilderness!” John 6.30-31 TLB
Jesus continued to teach them, and He told them the root of their problem was that they were only following because they were chasing their own desire for adventure and resources, not because they believed. They argued and began to complain about His “hard” teaching. Many of His disciples (not the twelve, but others who had called themselves disciples of Jesus after the feeding of the 5000) were complaining about Him and His teaching, thinking they were talking behind Jesus’ back. But He knew their hearts and minds.
He said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see me, the Messiah, return to heaven again? Only the Holy Spirit gives eternal life. Those born only once, with physical birth, will never receive this gift. But now I have told you how to get this true spiritual life. But some of you don’t believe me.” John 6:61-64 TLB
At that point, Mark tells us that many people turned away and deserted Him. Anyone would follow a Messiah who specializes in performing and entertaining. Don’t misunderstand, God can and will provide for our needs. There are many fringe benefits to following Jesus, but He wants to do much more than meet physical needs. Jesus immediately challenged the Twelve and asked them, “Are you going to leave me too?”
Peter declared, “Where would we go? Only you have the words of eternal life. We believe in you.” Peter and all the rest except Judas eventually believed and followed with their whole lives, even to death. What about me? Why do I follow Jesus?
- Seriously, do I want the loaves or real life? Am I fickle, looking for my desired results? Or am I a true follower?