Three Wrong Motives in Seeking Jesus (John 6:25-40)
Wrong Motives: Seeking Material Comfort (John 6:22–27)
The crowd wanted Jesus because He filled their stomachs with bread, not because He could give them eternal life. Sadly, many today still come to Christ for material blessings—money, jobs, houses, or prosperity—rather than salvation. Verse 26 warns us not to seek Him only for “loaves and fishes.”
Wrong Route: Seeking Works, Not Faith (John 6:28–29)
They asked, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” But Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.” Eternal life is not earned by human effort—it is received through faith in Christ.
Wrong Understanding: Seeking Another Moses (John 6:30–36)
They wanted a miracle-working leader like Moses who provided manna, but they missed the truth: Jesus Himself is the Bread of Life. He is not just a provider of what we want—He is the Savior who satisfies our deepest hunger.
What Does It Mean to Work “for the Food Which Endures to Eternal Life”?
Jesus does not mean that we earn salvation by our own works. Instead, He calls us to pursue Him with spiritual diligence—feeding on His Word, seeking Him in prayer, and fighting against sin. The great preacher J. C. Ryle explained it this way:
“How are we to labor? There is but one answer. We must labor in the use of all appointed means. We must read our Bibles, like men digging for hidden treasure. We must wrestle earnestly in prayer, like men contending with a deadly enemy for life. We must take our whole heart to the house of God, and worship and hear like those who listen to the reading of a benefactor’s will. We must fight daily against sin, the world, and the devil, like those who fight for liberty, and must conquer, or be slaves. These are the ways we must walk in if we would find Christ, and be found of Him. This is “laboring.” This is the secret of getting on about our souls.”
Application for Us Today
Many still come to Jesus with wrong motives. Some only seek material blessings. Some think good works will save them. Others want miracles but not the Savior. But Jesus calls us to seek spiritual food—not bread that perishes, but the food that leads to eternal life. This means:
- Reading His Word daily, like treasure seekers
- Praying earnestly, like warriors in battle
- Worshiping wholeheartedly, like heirs of a great inheritance
- Fighting sin daily, like those contending for freedom
- Coming to Him for forgiveness and healing
Let us not follow Jesus for what He gives, but for who He is: the Bread of Life, our Lord, and Savior.
