John 6:26-29
26Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
INTRODUCTION:
The people were searching for Jesus after He fed them with bread and fish (John 6:10-12). Jesus used the miraculous provision of food as a starting point to instruct the people about the temporal things of the earth and eternal life.
THERE IS MORE TO THIS LIFE
26Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." John 6:26-27
The people were not coming to Jesus with the right motive. They wanted physical food and not for spiritual food- God (John 6:26).
Jesus exhorted the people not only work for the physical food that can spoil but also on spiritual food that have Eternal life (John 6:27a). He told the people that He is the Giver of Eternal life and has God’s approval (John 6:27b).
There are many people around us only make a living to survive without much consideration about the life after. Like Jesus, we need to tell people, life is more than getting a paid packet but to know God and enjoy all the He has for us including Eternal life.
THERE IS ONE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE
28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." (John 6:28-29)
The people wanted to know the work God requires for Eternal life (John 6:28). Jesus told them to believe in Him who is sent by God (John 6:29).
I believe the Jews were rather surprised when Jesus told them to believe in Him for eternal life. They may expect to do more good works to earn eternal life. Faith in Jesus is the first step to have a relationship with God (John 3:16). A Christian who is growing in Christ will eventually produce good works because God is living inside them.
CONCLUSION:
Jesus cleverly used the human hunger for food to talk about the spiritual food that can lead to eternal life. Let us tell people not to live only for the temporal things of the earth but live to know God and to accomplish His will for ourselves.
What earthly things you cherish the most?
What good works you have try in the past to earn eternal life?
