June 29: Work for food that lasts

And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent”.   (John 6:25-29 — New King James Version)

On the previous day, Jesus had miraculously multiplied a few loaves and fish and fed a multitude of people. Before this they had listened to His teaching and seen Him heal the sick all day long. During the night Jesus and His disciples crossed over the Lake of Galilee and now they were in Capernaum. But the people followed Him, and now He accuses them of only following Him because of the food He had given them. They were not seeking a closer relationship with Him, the power of God, or knowledge of how to please God. He warns them that their focus is only on this life. They need God; they need eternal life; they need to believe in Jesus, God's Son.

Thousands of years later people are still the same. They treasure food, clothes, money, pleasure, friends, the world, their own way of doing things, etc. Eternal life, obeying God, following Jesus never seem to enter their minds. The Bible uses strong language for these people — calling them fools —because every man and woman will ultimately be judged for the way they’ve chosen to live their lives. Even people that regularly attend church often concentrate on getting “blessed”. When they get healed, get a job, or their problems die down, many leave and are never seen again. 

Be sure to do what Jesus says at the end of this passage: labor for the food that endures for eternal life. Create and keep up your own relationship with the Lord Jesus, and stay away from anything in this world that might distract you from this crucial labor. Refuse to be deceived!