We often
hear this phrase in Church, yet even so, there are many who really do not
understand what the phrase conveys. It seems to be one of the churchy phrases that is often passed
around with the expectation that others know what we mean. So what does it really
mean to keep our eyes upon Jesus? I
mean, seriously, He is seated at the right hand of God in heaven, isn’t He? Let’s
allow the Scripture to answer that. John chapter 6 tells the story of the
feeding of the 5000. The number was actually much higher because it seems the
passage only mentions men and not their families.
1 After these
things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.
2 Then a great multitude followed
Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. 3 And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there
He sat with His disciples. 4 Now
the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. 5 Then
Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward
Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread,
that these may eat?" 6 But
this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. 7 Philip answered Him, "Two hundred
denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may
have a little." 8 One of His
disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, 9 "There is a lad here who has five
barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" 10 Then Jesus said, "Make
the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the
men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 And
Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them
to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the
fish, as much as they wanted. 12 So
when they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather
up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost." 13 Therefore they gathered them up, and
filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were
left over by those who had eaten. 14 Then
those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, "This is
truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." John 6:1-14
Notice that
verse 2 says they followed Jesus because they saw the signs that He performed
on those who were diseased. Their assessment of Him (see vs. 14) was a
recollection of Deut. 18:15, which predicted that one day a prophet like Moses
would come into the world. Because Jesus worked miracles and fed the hungry
surely He must be the One! The story also smacks of some possibly wanting to be
like Moses themselves! (see John. 6:28) From the passage, we learn that Jesus, had
compassion on them, and fed these multitudes through a great miracle of multiplicity.
Wow! Another miracle, and just like Moses would do it! There is nothing like a
full tummy!
A little
later, near the end of the day, we are told Jesus departed to a mountain to
have some quiet time with the Father. Soon after, the disciples departed and went
down to the Sea of Galilee (Tiberius) and got into a boat to cross over to the
other side near Capernaum. During the crossing, a storm arose and Jesus came
walking up to the boat on the water. The disciples saw Him and were afraid, but
as always, He calmed their fears.
The next day
these same crowds who had kept a keen eye on Jesus noted that the disciples
left in the only boat available at the time and Jesus was not with them. When
they found out He was gone they quickly found some other boats that had arrived
and they rowed to Capernaum to find the Lord. When they found Him they
questioned when He got there? Here is where things get interesting. Jesus
answers their question with a reasoned reply concerning why they had sought
Him. He said,"Most
assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but
because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which
perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of
Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."
Then they said to Him, "What shall
we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to
them, "This is the work of God, that you believe
in Him whom He sent."
John 6:26-29
That passage
is a typical picture of many in the church today who need to regain their focus.
Jesus’ response to their question reveals that He knew their motives and their hearts. After revealing this to them He gives them spiritual instruction. Through it we
learn that these crowds only sought Him because of physical nourishment. Their appetite for things “Here and Now,”
that is, worldly comfort, power and desire, is further underscored by their
answer to Him. “What shall we do, that we
may work the works of God?” Did you notice that what Jesus told them went
right over their heads?
What can we learn?
First of
all, the passage does not teach us that the physical necessities in life are
not important. Jesus knows our every need and He has promised that through
trusting in Him those things will be provided for. After all, He did multiply the loves and fish because He knew they needed fed. This anxiousness over the cares of life was addressed in the Sermon on the Mount where He taught that they should not to worry because anxiety does nothing for physical need (see Mt. 6:25-34).
What the passage does teach us is that physical pursuits that have a primary
focus on gain in this world are not where we should be spending our energy. In
the passage quoted below Jesus refers to the manna that the Jewish people ate
in the wilderness, that it was only temporal and had to be continually renewed
because it was perishable. Not only that, but those who ate it are dead! In all
reality, everything in this world we live is perishable and will waste away. Instead,
we should learn to expend our time, labor and resources on things that are
everlasting.
Later in the
chapter Jesus says this:
And
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He
who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never
thirst.” John 6:35
and
“Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This
is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I
am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread,
he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I
shall give for the life of the world." John 6:49-51
Keeping
our eyes upon Jesus teaches us to examine our motives and our daily reasoning’s
for why we act and do the things we do. If we see that our focus is on pursuits
that are perishable and of no everlasting value then we must question if they
are part of the will of God. God wants us to keep Him in first place. This
means every day we should practice going before Him in prayer, reading His Word
and living in such a way that He will be glorified. If we truly desire the things above then we will love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength and the needs of others,
through a servant heart, will not go unserved. If we do these things then He
will make sure all of our physical needs are provided for. He will also make
sure that His favor is on us and the peace of God will rule our hearts in
Christ Jesus!
God Bless!!
Comments
This a message from Our Shepherd's heart flowing through you. It speaks peace during anxious times. Thanks for sharing this.
In Christ
Tim Cameron
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.(Phil 4:6-7 [NKJV])
May the Lord's blessings be with you!