22 The next day, the crowd that had remained on the other side of the sea realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not boarded it with His disciples, but they had gone away alone. 23 However, some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to look for Him. 25 When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they asked Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?”

26 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”

28 Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?”

29 Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Vinh Dang

Following on from Wednesday’s passage, the crowd who witnessed the miraculous signs went looking for Jesus across the sea, which at first seems like a sign of dedication and faith. They even traveled by boat just to find Him. But Jesus reveals in verse 26 that their search was not about understanding who He was. Instead, they were drawn by the miracle of feeding a huge crowd, and they wanted more of what He could give for their physical needs.

This challenges me to think about the reasons behind my own faith. Sometimes it is easy to come to God mainly when I want something – for example, help with a problem, or a need in life. In those moments, my focus can become similar to the crowd’s—seeking a miraculous sign or the “bread” rather than seeking Jesus Himself.

Jesus’ response shifts the focus from temporary needs to eternal needs. In verse 27, He tells them not to work for food that perishes but for food that lasts forever. This reminds me that many things I spend energy on—success, comfort, possessions—are temporary. They may satisfy me for a moment, but they cannot truly fulfill a deeper hunger.

Further on in the passage, Jesus responds to their question, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Instead of listing actions or rules, He simply says that the work of God is to believe in the One He has sent. This tells me that faith is not about earning God’s approval through effort. It is about trusting in Jesus and recognizing Him as the source of true life.

This passage encourages me to examine my priorities. Am I chasing temporary satisfaction, or am I seeking the deeper, lasting life that Jesus offers? It reminds me that true spiritual nourishment does not come from temporary things like food or material gain, but it comes from faith in Christ.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vinh is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.