John 6:26-27 (NKJV) 26 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. 27 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 [God’s] seal on Him [Jesus].”
When you look to Jesus, for what do you look to Him? Is He some sort of cosmic vending machine to give you what you want? Do you look to Him to provide for your needs; the needs of this world or for what He wants for you? Yes, Jesus wants to provide for your current needs but He really wants to have a relationship that can provide for your eternal needs. He is the way and the truth and the life now and forever. How can you have that relationship?
For more than two thousand years, people have been trying to figure out that relationship. Many religions have been formed in an attempt to answer the relationship question. Just who is this Jesus and what does He want from us? Does He seek certain tasks from us? How do we know if we are good enough? What is it He requires? Is it religion or relationship that Jesus wants? It is relationship! Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27). It is also a right relationship with Jesus. Once you build that relationship, Jesus will give you everlasting life. This is the food which endures.
There is nothing you can do to be good enough! Works of kindness on your part are out of the overflow of the blessings God gives you freely through Christ. These blessings are because God loves you and not because of anything you can do. He wants to be in relationship with you. All you need do is invite Him into your heart and your life. You will never be the same. Jesus changes everything! His love is so overwhelming that you cannot remain the same. You will become a better person for just the knowledge of Him. And all it takes to receive this food that endures to everlasting life is to open the door and invite Him in. Will you open the door? You know He is there. You might be afraid of the changes He will make. So was I! I opened the door May 31, 1998 after months of trepidation. It is quite a story. But what would people think? Would I be betraying my roots? What would my family say? Now, nothing else matters! Christ alone is my cornerstone. Sure, I still have my faults. Ask Jean. I get grumpy when I don’t get my way. But I recognize my faults and I ask Jesus to remove them. Rub off the rough edges please Lord. And that rubbing hurts. I fall down but I get up again. He dusts me off and says “you’ll do better next time.” And He gives me a next time. Thank You Lord!
Why do you seek Him? I seek Him because I want to become all He has designed me to be. I know I cannot be my best me unless Jesus remakes me in His image. I am willing Lord. Come Lord Jesus.
Come Lord Jesus! Feed us with food that lasts. By Your Spirit, guide us in Your ways. Your ways are truth and love. Help us to love one another as You have loves us. Give us this abundant everlasting life. In Your name we pray! Amen!