Why Are You Searching for Jesus?

11th Sunday after Pentecost, 8/8/21 John 6:24-35 Why Are You Searching for Jesus? I. Abandon any earth-bound reason. II. Seek the bread from heaven. “If I cease searching, then, woe is me, I am lost. That is how I look at it—keep going, keep going come what may.” That’s a quote from Vincent van Gogh. Do you agree with him? Is the human life one unending search? I suppose that’s one way of looking at it. Think about it. We search for things that are enjoyable or we search for relief from pain. We search for happiness in life, for fulfillment, for purpose and meaning. We search to find our way, to find where we fit in, where we belong. We search to be a better person. So, what are you searching for in life? I can think of no better answer than, “I’m searching for Jesus.” Well, I certainly hope that you are. And, by God’s grace, you’ve found him. Or, rather, he has found you. By his grace through the working of the Holy Spirit, he has brought you to faith in him and into an eternal relationship with him. He has made you a member of his kingdom so that he can bless you each day of your life here on earth and forever in heaven. And every day of our Christian lives we search for Jesus to continue that relationship with us. We are still searching him. This morning’s sermon text from John 6 informs us that a crowd went to Capernaum in search of Jesus, and they found him. What could be better than that? Here was the most important person in all of history standing in front of them and he was there to bless their lives now and forever. But something wasn’t right, and Jesus made that apparent through his conversation with them. He made it clear that they were searching for him so that he could do things for them that he didn’t intend to do. Might Jesus ever have a reason to make that clear to you and me as well? Let’s find out. In order to do so, let me ask you, “Why are you searching for Jesus?” May the Holy Spirit help us see Jesus more clearly as we study this portion of God’s word. Part I. Perhaps you wondered, “Who is this crowd that was searching for Jesus and why all this talk about bread?” Well, John 6 begins with the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. We pondered that account last Sunday. Jesus fed more than 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two fish. And as soon as he had done so, the crowd wanted to make Jesus their earthly king. If Jesus could miraculously give them bread, imagine the possibilities. But that was not why Jesus had come into this world. So, he sent his disciples on ahead of him by boat to Capernaum, while he withdrew to a mountain by himself. That night while the disciples were sailing to Capernaum, a storm arose, and Jesus approached them by walking on the water. John informs us that Jesus performed another miracle by making the boat immediately reach the shore at Capernaum. Meanwhile, at least some of the crowd that had been miraculously fed that day remained overnight on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. John tells us, “Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, ‘Rabbi, when did you get here?’” And that’s when Jesus launched into a conversation with them about their reasons for the searching for him. He knew their intent. He stated, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” They wanted more bread from him, and perhaps some more fish, too. And while he was at it, why not serve them some steak and lobster, too? It dawned on these people that Jesus could provide them with food every day of their lives and they would never have to work again. An earth-bound reason. When Jesus refused and told them to look for food that endures to eternal life, the people get it. Jesus was offering them eternal life. But notice their response. “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Their conception of the way to eternal life was exactly the same as the vast majority of people throughout history right down to today. What do we have to do to get to heaven? They are searching for Jesus so that he can tell them how they can earn eternal life. An earth-bound reason. When Jesus replied that they should believe in him as the One sent from God the Father, they replied, “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?” They won’t believe him on the basis of the miracle they had witnessed occurring right in front of them the day before. In fact, Jesus had also done many miracles of healing in front of them the day before. But they wanted to be impressed by more miracles today, so they were searching for Jesus for him to do more miracles for them. An earth-bound reason. In fact, they were so bold as to compare Jesus with Moses and find Jesus lacking. In essence, they told Jesus that he only fed them for a day, one meal. Moses fed God’s people 1,400 years earlier every day for 40 years. They were searching for Jesus to top Moses. An earth-bound reason. And when Jesus then told them about true bread from heaven which gives life to this world, the people responded, “Sir, from now on give us this bread.” At first, you might think that they understood what Jesus was saying. But a little later in this chapter, John informs us that they grumbled against Jesus for telling them that he was the bread that came down from heaven (V. 41). They were searching for Jesus because they wanted bread they could eat with their mouths. An earth-bound reason. So, back to the question before us. Why are you searching for Jesus? Well, it’s clear that we should abandon any earth-bound reasons. Let me make one more thing clear: it’s not sinful to search for Jesus for earth-bound reasons, not even for bread to eat. Jesus himself taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” So, what’s my point? When we search for Jesus expecting that he will make our lives here on earth better in the way that we are looking for him to do, then we’re searching him for the wrong reasons. We know how these people felt. They realized Jesus had the power to make their lives better, even a heaven on earth. And so, they searched him out for it. I know I’ve done the same thing, especially when my life is miserable, especially when tragedies occur. How about you? Same thing? And when we do, how often do we miss the main point of our relationship with Jesus? If all that we want him to do is to wave his almighty hand at the problems in our lives, we miss the point. He came to be our Savior from sin. He accomplished that saving work. It cost him his life on Calvary’s cross. Then he rose again to make us certain of every spiritual blessing that he won for us including life with him now and forever. When we search for Jesus chiefly for that reason, we’ll never be disappointed. PartII. I’m sure life was difficult for the people in this crowd. In many respects they lived primitively, without any of the modern conveniences we consider necessities. But they needed to realize that life here on this earth wasn’t going to get any better for them. In fact, about 40 years later, their nation would no longer exist. The Romans would bring it to a violent, horrific end. So, what hope did they have? To take Jesus at his word and search for him as the bread from heaven, instead of earthly bread. That’s a familiar theme throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus. One example of it is Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha. Recall that familiar event. Martha was concerned about getting bread ready for Jesus. Mary made the choice to sit at the feet of the Bread of Life and eat bread that lasts forever. We know that lesson. We know how Jesus encourages us to make his spiritual food our highest priority. We just struggle with it, time and time again. So, what should we do? Listen to Jesus as he continues to encourage us. He states it so well here in John 6, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” Work for that food. Jesus is serving it right now. In fact, he’ll serve you his very body and blood in Holy Communion just a few minutes from now. Cherish that opportunity! And then do what Jesus tells you: “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” Jesus states it so well. Believing in him isn’t something you do; it’s what God does. God alone by grace calls you to believe in Jesus and strengthens that faith through his word and sacrament. Believe in Jesus and everything he tells you! And then do one more thing—search for Jesus every day. He stated that encouragement this way: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” If you have Jesus living in your heart by faith, then you have everything you truly need for your life here and now, and for life everlasting. So, tell me. Why are you searching for Jesus? Because you’re seeking the bread from heaven. Certainly, by this time tomorrow, you’ll become aware—perhaps acutely aware—of a need for your life. Don’t think that, if you scratch that itch, it will go away. It might for a moment, but another itch will afflict you sooner rather than later. Instead, search for Jesus to give you more spiritual bread to feed your soul. Jesus gives you eternal life. That’s living life to the fullest, with your Savior at your side. Search for Jesus to give you that spiritual food every day! Amen.