October 13, 2026
Tuesday, October 13
Jesus utters the first of His seven “I am” statements in John 6. That chapter starts with a miracle we’re all familiar with. But my guess is that few Christians are aware of that miracle’s aftermath.
Jesus has been teaching all day to a crowd of 5000 men, plus women and children. This means there are perhaps 15-20,000 people in the crowd. They get hungry, and Jesus ends up feeding them all with nothing but one little boy’s lunch. Remember, this is happening during a time of Messianic expectation in Israel. People are desperate for God’s anointed One to show up, defeat their enemies, and bring them peace, prosperity, and freedom at last. Unsurprisingly, when thousands of people experience a spectacular miracle, they become hysterical. There’s talk of starting a revolution, and making Jesus King of the land.
Jesus has no intention of leading a violent rebellion. So He slips away and goes atop a nearby hill to pray. He sends His disciples across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, which was their home base. In the night, a storm hits, and the disciples are struggling to keep their small craft afloat. Suddenly, they see Jesus coming toward them, walking on the water. He gets into the boat with them, and the storm ceases. The next day, the crowd makes its way to Capernaum too, and finds Jesus teaching at the synagogue. They say, “How did you get here? We saw the disciples get into the boat without you.” They know He has done something miraculous, and want confirmation. But, as usual, Jesus redirects their question to something that matters more:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” (John 6:26-27)
The miracles Jesus performed weren’t just to help people with their temporary problems. They were signs that pointed to life-changing truth. When Jesus fed those people, He was showing that He could supply them with something even greater than a single meal. So now, He urges them not to miss who He truly is, why He has actually come. But the people aren’t interested in higher realities. They want more food. They’re already doing the math: If this guy can produce food out of thin air and walk on water, we’ll never have to work again. He can simply provide everything we need.
Again, Jesus refuses to conform to their expectations. And now the people, who eight hours ago were ready to make Jesus their King, turn on Him. They say, essentially, “What makes you so high and mighty? You gave us bread. But Moses gave bread to our forefathers every day for forty years.” They’re talking about the manna that God provided for Israel every day during the Exodus. Essentially, they’re saying, “We were briefly impressed with you, but we’re over it now. You’re no Moses.”
We’ll see Jesus’ response tomorrow, but for now, consider: It’s easy for us, from a safe distance of two thousand years, to judge these Israelites harshly. But how often do we look down our noses at the blessings God rains down upon us, wishing He would conform His will to our carefully curated list of desires? How frequently do we make ourselves miserable by yearning for the things we don’t have instead of gratefully enjoying the abundance He freely gives?
“Father, every good thing I have comes from you. It’s all a gift of love from a gracious God. Forgive me for being so nitpicky with your blessings, so ungrateful for the things you give me each day. Teach me the habit of joyful gratitude, in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Conroe
More from Pastor Jeff at his website: jeffbergerwriting.com
