Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life. (John 6:27)
Brooklyn Cupcake received so many calls that they could barely keep up. But they were not all looking to order a dozen strawberry cupcakes. The state government website had accidentally identified the state health insurance assistance hotline as the bakery’s number. Owner Carmen Rodriguez was overwhelmed: “I don’t want to be listed; they are calling my telephone off the hook.” It was unclear whether you could get health insurance with sprinkles on top.
Jesus was overwhelmed with demands on every side in John 6. He had already fed thousands of people with the miracle of the loaves and fishes, but the crowd was relentless. He and the disciples escaped to the other side of the lake. (I’m sure the disciples offered Jesus a ride in their boat, but he walked on water instead.)
However, the crowd followed them around the lake. Jesus saw through their intentions, saying that they weren’t looking for him for spiritual reasons, but “because you ate the loaves and had your fill” (v. 26). They were looking for another free lunch, not the spiritual truth he was freely offering. This must have felt overwhelming—to serve and help people so willingly, while finding that even his miraculous efforts did not satisfy them.
Jesus confronted them, saying, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life” (v. 27).
Whether you are unsatisfied or overwhelmed, work for food that endures.
David Drury is a multivocational second-chair leader, org founder, church planter, author, researcher for author Max Lucado, and previous chief of staff for The Wesleyan Church headquarters.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
