Choosing Miracles Over the Miracle Giver

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Chasing after Jesus

John 6.22-24 – The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

This crowd so desired another meeting with Jesus that they left everything they were doing in search of him.

How much effort would you make to be in the presence of Jesus? The “soft” answer is that we would do whatever it takes to be in his presence.

For a possibly “truer”answer let’s ask a couple of questions. How often do I take thirty minutes to sit quietly and to sense Jesus’ presence? How regular is my prayer and Bible study experience? Am I willing to put aside anything that keeps me from a close relationship with Jesus?

Chasing miracles, but not the Miracle Giver

John 6.25-26 – When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.”

Road signs point to a desired destination, but they are simply only a sign pointing the way to where we want to go. No matter how wonderful the miracle of feeding 5000 people with a kid’s lunch is, getting to really know Jesus is far greater.

When I lived in Louisiana, a young boy named Sam called out to me. He said, “Bob, do you have a solid quarter?” He wanted to go to a convenience store and buy a soda, which at that time they was 25 Cents. I gave it to him.

Sam wanted what was in my hand. I wanted his hand in friendship.

Imagine that the Greatest Being of All wants our hand in friendship. Let’s make sure that we want his hand, not just what is in his hand.

Jesus’ hand of friendship

John 6.27-29 – Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.”

28 Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?”

29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

How do we get acquainted with Jesus? We invite him into our lives by telling him that we want to live in a friendship relationship with him. Then, we begin living with him.

Forty-one years ago, I held Toni’s hand while the minister pronounced us husband and wife. With those words we crossed the boundary from single to married. Our friendship and love relationship was solidified by our commitment to marriage. Forty-one years of trusting each other and living with each other has given us a sense of life together that could only have been approximated back then.

Faith is so much deeper and richer that a simple, “Sure I believe in Jesus.” When Jesus tells people to believe in him, he is inviting us into a relationship similar to that of a long-term married couple.

Your Turn

Jesus is inviting you to cross the line today. Start a life as his friend and begin living in that relationship. That is what believing in Jesus is all about.

Most people who read my articles have already begun their friendship relationship with Jesus. May these words today inspire you to keep on enjoying every day with your best Friend, Jesus.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus, our very best Friend, thank you for being willing to be my friend. May I always desire your hand of friendship over any thing else. Profound thanks and gratitude to you for loving me.