When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Also, when the truth is hard to understand, people tend to wander off in search of something simpler. 

Jesus was easy to believe and follow when he was handing out free bread and serving endless fish. Who wouldn’t be happy when there was more after dinner than what they started with? If he could feed five thousand people and more with five barley loaves and two fish (verse 9), how many could he feed with twelve baskets full of leftovers (verse 13)? 

Math with Jesus is much more fun than math at school. 

The calculus in operation, however, was meant to point to Jesus, not to full bellies. The miracle was about Who did the miracle and Why he had come. Just about everyone flunked the quiz. They wanted the sums to add up to more chow now. 

If we can’t get past self-serving miracles, we will never get to know the true purpose of the Miracle Worker. His mission is not to keep us fat and happy. His purpose is to make his home with us and to extend his gracious rule to every man, woman, boy, and girl. 

This lesson was not the one the people wanted to receive that day. It’s not that popular today, either. 

The response to the truth that gives life to everyone who receives it was too hard to wrap their minds around. Another meal of miracle bread would certainly stimulate their minds, they thought. They even went in search of Jesus after he ducked out and crossed the lake without a boat (verses 16-21). 

When they found Jesus on the other side of the lake, they started talking about daily bread like their ancestors ate on the trip from Egypt to the Promised Land (verses 30 and 31). This is what is known as a hint. 

Jesus got the hint, but they didn’t get any more bread. He had a better gift in mind. He wanted to give them the Bread of Life and Living Water. They answered, “Yes, please. We want some more.” Then Jesus made it clear he was talking about himself, and not about barley and bass. 

Jesus is fine as long as he is working miracles in my favor. When he starts asking me to believe stuff, behave a certain way, and make life-altering commitments, well, that’s a different story. No snack, no service.

And so the people wandered off in search of a better Savior. This is the fastest, surest way to starve or fill up on junk food. The devil will let you eat your fill of sugar, carbs, and chemicals. Those are the wrong kinds of preservatives, however. 

Jesus said something we ought to pay attention to and take to heart. He said on several occasions, “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.” Truths that seem hard to understand at first become clearer the more time we spend with Jesus. One truth unlocks another. One truth reveals many more. One truth revolutionizes understanding and leads to life-altering transformation. 

Are you listening, really listening?

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I will listen all the way to the end to whatever Jesus wants to tell me.

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Our Father, teach me. Give me ears to hear what you have to say. Give me a willing and obedient heart to follow wherever you lead. Expand my understanding of who you are and what you want for me and for the whole world. Amen.