Keep the Long Term Focus

John 6:26-27 - Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

Have you ever received word of a giveaway of a product you really wanted? Did you make it a priority to drop what you were doing to run to the store and grab one before they ran out? That was the case for a huge crowd of Galilean Jews. Five thousand of them had been fortunate enough to eat a free meal Jesus had given them. Even though that meal was in a remote spot, word quickly got to Tiberias, the biggest city in the region, and crowds of people hopped in boats to get to the place Jesus had fed the 5,000. (vs 23) They were hoping for another free lunch that they would be able to experience this time.

However, when they got there, Jesus was gone. Yet, the people were still anxious for the free meal, so they tracked Jesus down to the fishing village of Capernaum. (vs 24) They had not seen him walking on the water, so they asked him when he arrived. (vs 25) Jesus immediately knew what they were after. They wanted another meal, but Jesus urged them to get something that lasts longer, eternal life.

It can be so easy for us to focus on temporary things. Maybe it is your next meal. That will last you a few hours. Maybe it’s your next car. That can last you several years, but it will eventually break down. Even your next house won’t last forever.

The “stuff” of life that we see and touch can captivate all of our time and attention, but there will be a day for each of us when life as we know it now will cease. That is not the end. Jesus urges us, like he urged the hungry crowds, to seek the food he gives that lasts forever – eternal life. Like he said in verse 35, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” Come to Jesus. Believe in him. He is far more fulfilling than all the stuff of earth. Eternal life is worth your focus.