This is a persistent group of people! They desperately chase Jesus, longing for more bread. It’s understandable that for many people in that place, food was scarce and the fact that they could be fed with one word of thanks from Jesus would have been incredibly exciting! We really cannot blame them for putting their physical needs ahead of everything else. But Jesus calls their attention to his higher purpose of drawing them more closely to the One who is the giver of all gifts, physical and spiritual.
There are times when what we want is not necessarily what we need. I find the more I allow God to examine my heart – my motives, my ego, my self-righteousness, etc. – what I want and what I need become more aligned.
Today, make a list of things you think you need. Now reflect on whether you believe God would agree with each of those things. Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for all that God provides from the basic, physical necessities to spiritual, emotional, and intellectual gifts.
