Overlooking The True Gift

Overlooking the True Gift

 

“Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.” – John 6:26

When my son was little we got him a ride-on toy for Christmas one year.  He was so excited to take it out of the box and scoot it around the room.  But by nightfall, the toy was shoved aside and the box became the center attraction.  He climbed into the big box, got markers and began to transform it into a house.  He played with the box day after day, taking several items into it.  At one point it even became a car – something he could ride in!  The ride-on toy sat quietly to the side while he focused all his energy on that box.

Jesus went through this very same thing with His followers.  When they were hungry, he fed them with 5 loaves of bread and two small fish.  They continued to follow Him, not because of who He was and what a relationship with Him could bring, but because he provided food.  He showed them signs and wonders.  Even in feeding the 5,000 with only 5 loaves of bread and two fish they had missed the miracle and focused only on the food they received.  Jesus told them in John 6:26 ““Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.” How disappointing it must have been for Jesus to see how easily we are distracted.

Even today we miss out on what Jesus has to offer.  We find salvation in Him, and often stop there.  We never explore the gifts He can give, such as peace, joy, love, and self-control.  We scoot around in the box it came in, our church, feeling accomplished, assured we have the final product of Christianity.  We take our ticket to Heaven, and walk away holding it high with a sense of accomplishment.  Yet the entire time we’re living our lives in misery not understanding that we need Christ most for is life – not death.  His gift is for eternity – and eternity has already started.

There is so much more to life with Christ than salvation. 

There’s the peace that comes in knowing that even in the trials we must face, we have a friend that is closer than a brother.  Yet when trouble comes, He’s often the last one we talk to about it. 

There’s fellowship that is intimate through the reading of His word and prayer.  Yet we settle for the box, church events, feel-good sermons, and pot luck dinners. 

He’s sitting there quietly, just waiting for you to stop playing with the box and pay attention to Him.  Church attendance and gold stars on your Sunday School chart do not equal holiness.  He wants more of you.  Don’t be distracted by the good gift that God has given you, and miss out on the best He has to offer.