Today’s Devotional: “Why Do You Seek Jesus?”

People followed Jesus because of the miraculous signs He did in healing the sick. They started following Him because of the signs and what they could get, not for God’s peace or entering God’s kingdom.

“Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick.” (John 6:1-2)

After feeding over 5,000 people with a couple of loaves of bread and a few fish, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, and when the people learned where he went, they followed Him.

“So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the small boats, and came to Capernaum seeking Jesus.” (John 6:24)

In response to their question about when He arrived, Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.” (John 6:26)

What are our reasons for seeking Jesus? Most often, we seek Him when our lives are unsettled, and there are more problems than answers or solutions. Sometimes, it’s because of things we want, much like those who followed Jesus in the past.

If we’re seeking Jesus just to get the stuff, then what Jesus tells us is to first seek God’s kingdom and righteousness, and then all these things will be ours (Matthew 6:33).

We need to be careful about why we are seeking Jesus. Are we seeking Him for our physical needs or spiritual ones? Jesus told the crowd to seek God’s true bread from heaven, Himself (John 6:31-40).

Our motives for seeking Jesus should not be to gain temporary benefits, although these may come as a result, but rather to obtain eternal life and the rewards that last forever.