What steps can we take to ensure our pursuit of Jesus is genuine and persistent? The Setting in John 6:24 “When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to look for Him.” (John 6:24) Insight: The Crowd’s Pursuit They crossed the lake, eyes fixed on Jesus—but the verses that follow reveal many were seeking more free bread, not the Bread of Life Himself (John 6:26-27). Their search invites us to ask how our pursuit can stay genuinely fixed on Jesus, not merely on His gifts. Step 1: Identify and Purify Our Motives • Ask: Am I chasing blessings or the Blesser? • John 6:26-27 warns against laboring “for food that perishes.” • Psalm 73:25 keeps the heart’s focus clear: “Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.” Step 2: Seek Jesus First and Continually • “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33) • Make Him the non-negotiable priority each morning, midday, and night. • Jeremiah 29:13 promises, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Step 3: Feed on the Word, Not Just the Miracles • Jesus corrected the crowd: “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” (John 6:63) • Schedule daily, unhurried Scripture intake—read, meditate, memorize. • Let Scripture interpret life, not life interpret Scripture. Step 4: Cultivate Daily Dependence Through Prayer and Worship • Abide: “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you.” (John 15:4) • Pray before decisions, during chores, after victories—turn moments into meetings. • Worship resets the affections; singing truth embeds it deeper than mere recitation. Step 5: Walk in Obedience and Repentance • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22) • Immediate obedience keeps the heart tender; delayed obedience calcifies it. • Quick confession restores fellowship (1 John 1:9). Step 6: Stay Anchored in Community • “Let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds … encouraging one another.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) • Genuine pursuit thrives in accountable fellowship—small groups, local church, faithful friendships. Step 7: Rely on the Spirit’s Power • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) • Ask daily for His filling; He supplies endurance, discernment, and joy. Putting It All Together Genuine, persistent pursuit springs from pure motives, laser-focused priorities, Scripture saturation, continual prayer, obedient living, supportive community, and Spirit-empowered strength. Cross the lake not for loaves but for the Lord; in finding Him, every true hunger is satisfied. |
    |