Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Meditation

Scripture:

TEXT: "Jesus answered them, 'Truly,
truly, I say to you, you are seeking Me,
not because you saw signs, but
because you ate your fill of the loaves'"
(John 6:26).


After the festival Jesus returned north to
Galilee. He spent a whole day preaching
and then fed the huge crowd with five
loaves and two fish. That night after He
sent them away, He walked across the
Sea of Galilee. Gathering again the next
day, the crowds walked around the lake
to find Him.

At first those people sound like genuine
followers of Jesus. But our Lord knows
better. They aren't really there for Him;
they are there for themselves. They want
Jesus to be their king-but only on their
terms. They aren't concerned with their
deep eternal needs like He is; they only
want what Jesus can give them in the
present.

We can be just as near-sighted as they.
We are consumed with today's needs
and desires, but we don't see the more
significant eternal gifts Christ comes to
bring. So we ask Him to help us through
our needs and problems, but we don't give
a single thought to His Kingdom and the
part He would have us play in that Kingdom.

That is why coming to Christ in worship is
so vital. Each week in church He shows us
the bigger picture-the unending punishment
we deserve for our selfish, disobedient lives,
as well as the forgiveness and eternal future
He gives us through His life, death and
resurrection. Yes, He knows and cares about
all our earthly needs and will provide for each
of them just as He has provided for our eternal
needs.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, when I get too wrapped up in this
life and my daily needs, lift my eyes to see the
glorious future You have won for all of us by
Your life, death and resurrection. Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries