While considering the wonder of the Majesty of God and His great love in sending His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for us, I considered that this is how we must view Him if we are to submit to Him and serve Him. Too often we look for a leader that, like Nimrod, will instruct us in building a name for ourselves, Genesis 11:4. Men are seeking for a God to supply but God is looking for men to submit. We see this illustrated clearly in the Gospel of John, chapter six. The account begins with the feeding of the Five Thousand.
John 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
Recognizing Him as a prophet allowed them to remain within the realm of their belief and making Him a king would put Him in the position of feeding them and fighting for them. They would be in a win/win situation to satisfy themselves in the fulness of the flesh.
“…Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed…”
The Lord knew this and diffused the situation by departing for Capernaum. These crowds followed Jesus to Capernaum and again sought Him to care for them.
“…they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.”
The ranks of the disciples of Jesus had grown and many would have been impressed with this large crowd of followers. Jesus was not impressed though, because He knew their hearts. Everything went to motive – supply or submission.
“…Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.”
“…This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”
Jesus offered the people Spiritual Bread but they did not accept His love for them. The day before they had declared that He must be “…that Prophet that should come…”. This day following the journey from the wilderness to the city He had become “Rabbi” and “lord” in their eyes, and upon the requirement of submission He had become “this man”. How quickly men change when their desires for supply are not met and God’s demands for submission are too great.
This “multitude” departed from the Lord, “…From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
– leaving Him with the twelve – “…Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?”
Are we of those that are seeking self and supply or of those that are submitting and obedient?
Remember the answer to the question from the Lord –
“Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”
Is He your Lord?