Spiritual Hunger

by Gregory H. Sergent

Jesus whisked his disciples into a boat, and He headed for the hills. Following the feeding of this massive crowd, the populace thought Jesus “fit the bill” for a king who could set things right for the Jews in the Roman Empire. Who wouldn’t love what he was doing before their very eyes? The blind healed, the sick and infirmed made well, and now an overabundant provision of bread (John 6:1-14). Their day had arrived, and someone finally saw them and addressed their needs, and Jesus was their man. This miracle-working prophet met all their “man-made” expectations.

So Jesus quickly swept away the disciples from the swell of people’s pressure onto the boat. Why did Jesus get them away from the crowd? Were they finding an appeal or attraction in the sway of popular opinion with what Jesus could do rather than “Who” He was? Perhaps their perceptions were hardened by the familiarity of this miracle worker. Was there more to Jesus than what meets the eye? It was not until a fearful moment that Jesus “came strolling” on the tumultuous sea and opened their eyes. Deeply troubled and tired by this three to four-hour rowing ordeal that got them nowhere, they finally calmed down when Jesus stepped into their boat, and the storm ceased. Immediately, Jesus was more than a miracle-working prophet. Jesus’ power was personal to them! Who is this that the winds and waves obey his command? God was with them all along!

Be careful not to reduce Jesus to a “fixer” of surface-level problems. Jesus is more than a ”fix-it-man” to make life easy, better, or comfortable. Jesus is the God-man in the middle of the storm. You might be surprised or even disappointed that He works only on His terms. The most significant spiritual discovery is not seeing what He can do to fill an apparent need but trusting that He alone is sufficient whatever the need. He desires us to know, trust, and want Him. He wants more than a contract to fix something; He desires ongoing fellowship.

The people wanted a judicious conquering ruler, but they needed a Savior to rescue them from sin– a compassionate Shepherd who dives deeply into the care of the soul’s hunger. Jesus simply wants more for us than meeting our perceived, surface-level needs that He graciously provides us. He wants to meet the deepest spiritual hunger with nothing less than Himself–the bread of life. Partaking heaven’s bread means one never hungers again. That’s much better than temporary fixes. That’s the work of Heaven’s King. Don’t settle for less when He wants you to know Him more deeply and intimately.