Jesus climbed the mountain. A great multitude followed Him to the desolate place, because they had seen all the miracles of healing that he had performed. When Jesus saw them, he felt compassion, and proceeded to feed them by multiplying the five loaves and two fishes. They were well-fed and satisfied. After performing this miracle, the people were ready to take Him by force to make him king. But Jesus departed from them.

Later, after Jesus had crossed the Sea of Galilee on foot, he once again encountered some of those who had been fed from the few loaves. They asked "Rabbi, when did you come here?" Jesus answered: "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."

Isn't that just like us? "Thank you for the food, Lord." We are quick to seek God and ask Him to satisfy our physical needs and desires. But there is something much more important than our temporal needs.

Jesus continues: "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 upon Him."

The people realized that Jesus was talking about spiritual needs, so they asked Him: "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Okay, now we understand! We need to get our attention off of our temporal needs, and start seeking the Kingdom of God. That is what you told us during the Sermon you gave on the Mount. So, Jesus, how do we do the works that God requires of us? What do we do to get our spiritual needs met?

Do we fast twice a week? Do we get close to God by following certain prescribed rituals? Do we do good deeds for our neighbors? Jesus, how do we satisfy our spiritual needs?

Jesus gives them the answer: "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." Wow, what a radical answer! It can't be that easy! Believe in you, Jesus? Who are you, that you think that believing in you is all we need? We have the law of Moses. When our fathers were in the desert, Moses gave them manna from heaven to eat. What miracle will you do, so that we might believe you?

But Jesus tells them that the Father sent them manna, not Moses. And that He [Jesus] is the true bread of God that comes down from heaven, giving life to the world. Whoever comes to Jesus will never hunger and whoever believes in Him will never thirst (spiritually).

"BUT YOU DO NOT BELIEVE!," Jesus says.

Seeing is not believing; EATING is BELIEVING! Jesus is speaking throughout this entire encounter of the necessity of trusting in Him for eternal life. He is giving them an object lesson.

Do you want to do God's will? "Rely on Me," Jesus says. Everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life. "Most assuredly, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 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."

Eating and drinking is believing. Do you believe that Jesus accomplished your salvation? Then you have drunk from the fountain that gushes to eternal life. You have opened the door to sup with the Savior. The author of Hebrews writes: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is , and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." If you believe, then continue eating, and you will increasingly experience the satisfaction that comes only from God through faith in Jesus.

John 4:10-16 - Fresh Water for a Salty Life