RECOGNIZING CHRIST BEYOND THE LOAVES
JULY 6, 2026
TEXT: Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (JOHN 6:26–27)
Today’s teaching is on the importance of knowing and discerning the nature of Christ rather than getting carried away by physical and material things. In the full passage containing our given text, we see the story of Jesus feeding the multitude that had gathered to hear Him. It was a great and miraculous event where five loaves and two small fishes were used to feed the crowd.
The crowd ate and were filled. Unfortunately, that was the only dimension of Jesus that they saw. They saw the “feeding and hunger-solving” Messiah rather than the spiritual or salvation-offering Messiah, or even the other greater dimensions that are present in Christ Jesus. (John 6:26)
Even Jesus Christ Himself was flabbergasted when they took boats and started tracing Him after He had left the place to pray in a lonely place. Outwardly, the people appeared dedicated and committed, but it was clear that inwardly, the main purpose of their search for Jesus Christ was because they had eaten part of the bread. They probably, at that moment, saw Jesus Christ as a mysterious food bank that must not be exhausted, so that their subsequent hunger problems could be easily attended to.
Most times, we are guilty of this. Our actions tend to look spiritual, but our motives are not. Many believers pray only when they are in debt or facing a financial crisis. Many only fast when they want urgent healing, breakthrough, or deliverance from a ravaging problem. Many only attend church or study the Bible when they are being overwhelmed by the ravaging storms of life. Sometimes, God allows seasons without obvious miracles and breakthroughs just to test our faithfulness to Him. He wants to know whether we desire Him or desire His gifts. A mature believer loves Christ and continues to adhere to heavenly instructions, even when it appears as though there is no special reward from God.
Miracles are signs, and they are meant to produce or inspire our faith rather than be the destination themselves. The miracle of feeding the multitude only triggered a thirst for immediate economic needs. It did not fuel their spiritual inquisitiveness and fervour. They only saw a ready-made “bakery” from where they could “fetch their daily bread.” The greatest miracle is not receiving from God but receiving Christ Himself.
When Jesus Christ called Himself the Bread of Life, He was not merely talking about bread. He was talking about total satisfaction. Human beings are generally hungry for purpose, fulfillment, peace, and a good life, and sometimes try to find these through wealth, pleasure, relationships, and other things. Yet, none of these fully satisfies. The only true satisfaction comes from the Master. (Isaiah 55:1–3; Matthew 4:4)
SEARCHLIGHT: Temporary blessings can close the door to eternal satisfaction. Strive to go beyond surface impacts and desire deeper, lasting ones.
PRAYER: O LORD, help me to see deeply into You, far beyond superficial things, in Jesus’ mighty name.
BIBLE READING: Psalms 18–20; Revelation 2
PASTOR MICHAEL OMOLE
