“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

John 6:1-27

Quick Summary

             With a measly 5 loaves and 2 fish, Jesus feeds 5,000 men plus women and children. He then leaves overnight, and the crowds who were fed go searching for him. Jesus calls them out…he says they are only looking for him for another free meal, and not for what he really has to offer. He can bring their life contentment that no meal will ever touch, because he is the bread of life.

The Point 

Jesus fills our hungry souls, not just our hungry stomachs.

Questions for Family Time

1.     What miracle happened in the story today?

a.      Jesus fed over 5,000 people with one packed lunch!

2.     Why did the people follow Jesus?

a.      For Free Food

3.     What did Jesus give them instead?

a.      Food for their soul, not just their body. He helped them to be happy in a way that money can’t buy.

4.     How has Jesus fed your soul?

a.      He loves me and cares for me. He helps me when I am sad or scared.

Deeper

            The Feeding of the 5,000 is one of those stories told in multiple gospels. This is one of my favorite versions…partly because in this version, a little boy shares his lunch. That’s right. A little boy brings up his sad little sack lunch and Jesus feeds over 5,000 people and has 12 baskets leftover. That’s what Jesus can do when we give him what we have to solve a problem.
           
 There is another part I love. In this version, Jesus ends up with a bunch of hungry followers, who just follow Jesus for their next meal. My husband and I have experienced this every once in a while. You know, when you help someone out, and pretty soon they are using you. Jesus calls the users out. He says, “I know what you are up to…I know you are here so I can just keep feeding you…but I am offering you more than that. I can feed your souls…forever.”

How often I have been one of those followers. God has provided in the midst of my physical need. He provided for Nick and I when we were unemployed, our credit cards were maxed, and all our food was gone. He provided clothes and diapers for Lydia in the midst of the economic crash of 2008. Sometimes, to this day, I find myself praying for my needs and wants to magically be met. Yet in the midst of those prayers,

Jesus calls me out and reminds me that one more shopping trip, one more dinner out, one more…will not satisfy the discontentment in my life. He wants to give me more than just stuff. He wants to give me peace and joy beyond what I can have from this world. Sometimes he doesn’t give me what I ask for, but he always gives me what I need. A new friendship. Compassion for those less fortunate than myself. Confidence that I am loved by God.

As long as we are alive, we will need another meal, another glass of water. But Jesus can fill those needs…those hungers…that reach deeper than a meal. Jesus promises to satisfy the longings of our souls.  

Personal Reflection

1.     What are the deepest desires of your heart that create discontentment? How are you trying to fill them? How would life be different if you asked Jesus to fill them?