Understand? (it wasn't EVER about the food)

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. [John 6.26]

Here again, like on the Sea of Galilee after calming the storm, Jesus is heard scolding those in attendance at the 'feeding of the five thousand' because they failed to understand what happened.

It seems, like the disciples, the crowd missed the opportunity to see that Jesus wasn't feeding them so they would come back for more. He was feeding them so they would go and do likewise by feeding others. The action was physical - the lesson was spiritual.

The point is, Jesus was not feeding others for the sake of satisfying hunger - He was feeding them to show that in doing the work of God (feeding others spiritually) their own needs would be taken care of.

It wasn't ever about the food! It was about the Kingdom of God!

The true believer - the genuine follower of God - will be busy about Kingdom work, seeing miraculous provision for daily necessities. The believer's part is to promote the Kingdom and King to others, God's part is to provide the necessities along the way. Any other arrangement is outside the realm of faith and, therefore has nothing to do with God and faith in Christ.

I am afraid still very few have this figured out. Very few understand. Among those who do understand, even fewer obey in pure faith. The grip of the world and its "understanding" are simply too strong and deeply-rooted - even in the Church.

We need to blindly trust God and serve His Kingdom. Yes, that seems to be the only way to truly please God.

Father, I know it is not enough to simply 'say' I want to serve You without concern for my own provision. I know my life must prove it. I know that I may think I truly "understand" but that my actions actually prove whether or not I do.