Sunday 02 August 2015

Psalm: Psalm 78

Background

What is it that is drawing the crowds to follow Jesus toCapernaum? Jesus has just performed a powerful miracle withthousands of people present. He had taken five barley loaves andtwo fishes, given thanks to God for them and then fed a great crowduntil their hunger was satisfied and the people were amazed (John6:1-14).

The question is what is it that amazed them? What did they see?Did they see a miracle worker who had the power to take a smallquantity of food and feed a great crowd? Are they following Jesusin the mistaken belief that they will never have to look for foodagain? Or did they see the bread and fishes as a sign pointing themind and the heart to the true gift of God to God's ownpeople? Thisgift which is much bigger than a free meal because it is the giftof Jesus himself?

Jesus is showing them that the miracles are pointing towards whohe really is and to what he is inviting them to share. "I am thebread of life," he says, "Do you want it or not?" Strangely, theydon't seem to know the answer. They know they do not want to gohungry again, but they do not know if they want to commit tofollowing Jesus.

The bread Jesus is offering them is spiritual food which willsatisfy their deepest hunger for God. Jesus is inviting them into anew relationship with God.

At this point many of the crowd walk away and they choose to gohungry.

To Ponder

• Imagine you were in the crowd who went on to Capernaum. Whatare you seeing and hearing?

• What gets in the way of you coming to Jesus?