Young People's Group

Seeking the Food that Endures to Everlasting Life

by Mitchell Tan
September 16, 2021

WORKING HARD FOR THE WRONG GOALS

Did you know that you can seek the Lord for the wrong goals? This was a problem that the Lord Jesus raised up to the multitudes as they worked hard to look for Him. He had earlier multiplied the loaves and fish to feed the five thousand (John 6:10-14). Because of this, some recognised Him as the Prophet that was prophesied by Moses (John 6:14). Others wanted to take Him by force so that He could be the physical King of Israel. They were seeking Him for the wrong earthly goals.

“Do not labour for the food which perishes”
John 6:27

The Lord Jesus made this strong entreaty to the people that they were not to focus on seeking and working for the food that perishes. The food that perishes can be seen in two ways.

1. IT IS A REFERENCE TO BREAD

The multitude wanted the Lord Jesus to provide more bread for them. They ate of the bread and were physically satisfied. They wanted Him to continue to do this that they may be filled always.

2. FIGURATIVELY, IT CAN BE A REFERENCE TO MATERIAL THINGS

“Bread” can also be a reference to material things. The people were not to focus on worldly things that would satisfy only temporally. The Lord Jesus had taught about not laying treasures on this earth which can be destroyed but to lay for themselves treasures in heaven which are eternal (Matthew 6:19-20). Where their treasure is, there their heart will also be.

THE LORD’S CHALLENGE TO FOCUS ON SEEKING HIM FOR THAT WHICH IS ETERNAL

“Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
John 6:27

The people were to focus on working for the food that endures to everlasting life. The food that endures is a reference to the Lord Jesus. Our Saviour would refer to Himself later as the bread of life (John 6:35). It is also a reference to the things of the Lord Jesus; the Scriptures and His teachings. These things would last for eternity. The people were meant to come to the Lord Jesus, know Him and believe in Him. They were to move from a physical plane to a spiritual plane. They were to focus on seeking the food that would satisfy them spiritually. Why should they seek the Lord Jesus?

1. BECAUSE HE IS THE SOURCE OF EVERLASTING LIFE

Everlasting life cannot be earned. It is a gift that comes directly from the Lord Jesus. Whoever believes in Him will have this everlasting life. He as the Son of Man will give graciously to those who seek Him for it. This everlasting life will bring about everlasting satisfaction (John 6:35).

2. BECAUSE HE HAS RECEIVED THE SEAL OF APPROVAL FROM GOD

God has set His seal on the Lord Jesus because He had proven His obedience to Him. It is also obvious through the power displayed through His signs and wonders. He is the anointed giver of life.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

Young people, what are we working for in life? Are we seeking for the things that are only temporal or are we seeking for the things that are eternal? Many are working hard for the usual things in life, like recognition, good grades, and material things. If our focus is only on these temporal things, then it is a wrong focus. When we seek the Lord Jesus, it should be for eternal goals. Let’s move beyond the physical things of this world to seeking the spiritual things of eternity.

1. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET BELIEVED

Let’s focus on seeking the Lord Jesus, to know Him personally and to believe in Him.

2. FOR BELIEVERS

Our challenge is to keep seeking the things that are eternal. Paul also taught of how if we are identified with Christ, then we should seek those things which are above, where He is (Colossians 3:1-2). Let’s fix our minds on things above and not on things below. Let’s seek those things which are in heaven with all our hearts.

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