Appetite

The book of John portrays a story in which Jesus took five small loaves of bread and two small fish, and he miraculously multiplied the food to feed an mass of five thousand people by a lake.

A while later, Jesus and His disciples found these same people following them to the other side of the lake. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” Jesus realized at that moment, that these people weren’t following him because they truly wanted to follow as disciples, they were following Him because they wanted more food. They wanted to fill their appetites. They were following Him for all the wrong reasons.

Do we do this? Do we follow Jesus because of what we can get out of the deal? Do we follow Him because we think He can provide safety? Do we follow Him in hopes of getting our wants and desires met? Do we follow Him so he will fill our appetite (whatever that appetite may be)? Maybe some of us want Him to give us our fill.

We know our appetites will come and go. One moment our stomachs will be full, the next moment they’re empty. We strive to fill our stomachs, yet we can’t seem to fill them enough. This repetitive behavior continues as we constantly look for our fill. Whether its consumerism, food, entertainment, addiction, or anything else; these will never make us truly content.

Jesus goes on to say, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.” Jesus invites us to halt this ongoing repetitive behavior, this behavior that only addresses our present wants and desires, these appetites that are only momentarily fulfilling. Jesus offers us the way, the truth, and the life. He offers us something so much more.

We are given an offer: we can choose to resist the appetites that are only temporary, and we can pursue a way of life which God intended for us to live. Jesus invites us to follow and partner with Him in a life of truly loving others. He invites us to learn His way of life, and live His way of life. Jesus is waiting to show us a way of life that is truly life. Will we follow? Will we continue to follow?

Will you follow Him?