Today’s scripture: John 6:22-27 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Steve Adams):
“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”
Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus often uses food as a metaphor in his illustrations of truth. Why? Food is our source of nourishment, containing an ingenious combination of nutrients that enable us to be healthy. It’s a life source. Food is also amazingly pleasurable to our senses. A great meal with a delicious variety of flavors can be downright sublime. We also have to work for food. Growing food, harvesting it, storing it, preparing it, and serving it all takes effort, time, and skill.
Physical food pleasures and nourishes the body, while spiritual food pleasures and nourishes the soul. Proverbs 24:13 and 14a says, “My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such for your soul.” Yes, just as honey is sweet to the taste, wisdom is sweet to the soul. I think Jesus drives home this point here. He wanted people to pursue him for the spiritual food (eternal wisdom) he could feed them instead of the physical food they had received as a result of the miracle of the loaves and fish.
As we grow spiritually, we hunger for eternal insight as much or more than we hunger for food. But, did you notice how Jesus says we attain the “eternal food?” As with physical food, it’s through work! Often the work is in the form of sacrifice. Or suffering. Or pushing ourselves beyond the comfort/pleasure zone in order to do what’s right.
I think Jesus’ statements in these verses also serve to guard against greed. A part of me always wants more food — or more money — or more fun — or more pleasure. But the spirit of self-discipline (II Timothy 1:7), at times energizes me to say “No!” to my appetites. “I’ve had enough! I want something that’s deeper and more satisfying. I want to go to work for God!” That’s the deeper hunger Jesus instills in us!
Thought for the day: During Sunday Service a few years ago, Pastor Jeff pulled a roll of string out to a one-inch length. “That represents our lives here on earth,” he said. He then had someone from the congregation hold the roll as he walked through the sanctuary doors out into the Social Hall, and finally to the far end of the Social Hall. “The length of the string now doesn’t even come close to comparing the length of eternity to our present lives,” he said. Doesn’t it make sense to work for what is eternal?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.