Sound The Trumpet

John 6:28-38 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (30) They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? (31) Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. (32) Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. (33) For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. (34) Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. (35) And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (36) But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. (37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (38) For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

As the people were traveling with Jesus, Jesus was doing miracles to show that He was God. The multitude enjoyed the miracles. Perhaps some enjoyed the show, perhaps some enjoyed being healed and there were some who enjoyed the free meals. But Jesus did not come to provide for their daily meals; Jesus came to offer them everlasting life. Many of the people who were following Him did not understand this. They were only interested in their needs for the moment. Which is more important: having your next meal or being saved?

John 6:22-27 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; (23) (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) (24) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. (25) And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? (26) Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. (27) Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

In yesterday’s devotion, we read about how Jesus fed this multitude then traveled to Capernaum. Remember how they all wanted to make Jesus their king. Now, they realize Jesus and the disciples have left them and they want to follow them. However, Jesus knows their hearts. 2 Thes 3:10 says, “…if any would not work, neither should he eat.” Jesus realized that this multitude was not following Him to see the miracles, nor were they following Him to be His disciple (to learn from Him). They were following Jesus to get the free meal. There are many people who even come to church and become free-loaders. No, they may not all ask for food. Some may just sit and soak up the blessings of being in a good church without doing anything in the church. What do you do for Jesus and the church?

John 6:10-21 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. (11) And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. (12) When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. (13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. (14) Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. (15) When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. (16) And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, (17) And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. (18) And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. (19) So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. (20) But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. (21) Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

There was another great miracle here: Jesus took two little fish and five barley loaves (about the size of a biscuit) and fed five-thousand men, plus the women and children. That was an incredible miracle. Jesus not only fed this large multitude with this little bit of food, but they took up more scraps than they had to begin with. This proves that Jesus can provide for any need which we may have. At times, it may seem like everything has turned against us, but Jesus is still in control. Just as Jesus fed that multitude, Jesus can take care of our needs.