Principles for Life in the Kingdom of GodÀpẹrẹ

THE PRIORITY OF SPIRITUAL THINGS

MAIN IDEAS

• After He multiplied the loaves, people began searching for JESUS with even greater urgency.

• Being able to see into their hearts, JESUS knew that they sought Him for more earthly reasons than for spiritual ones.

• The people could not understand JESUS because they did not know how to discern between the body and the soul.

• To help them understand, JESUS reminds them of the manna that God gave their parents in the wilderness, explaining that the same God gives people the true Bread of Life in the person of His Son JESUS, who came from heaven, representing God.

• Jesus makes it very clear that only through Him people can have eternal life and come to God, and that those who believe this will experience the Resurrection and will be rewarded by God.

• Despite all of JESUS’ explanations, they still understood nothing because they were overwhelmed by the physical dimension of life and were able to see only what they already knew about JESUS, which was the family that He came from.

JESUS’ popularity continued to grow, especially after He had multiplied the loaves and fed the crowds. JESUS, who could read the hearts of men, knew therefore that meeting physical needs is more of an interest to the people than fulfilling their spiritual needs, by listening to His teachings. He told them frankly that He knew this, but also made them aware that what He had come to do was to save their souls, which are eternal.
The Jews to whom JESUS was speaking knew all about the miracle of the manna from heaven during the journey through the wilderness. They wanted to argue that they were God’s favorite people, since they had lived that miracle. JESUS uses their argument by explaining that the purpose of manna was to cover their physical needs, but what He offers them now – His person and His work – will satisfy the spiritual needs of their souls.
Our Lord JESUS longs to enlighten your mind through the HOLY SPIRIT, so that you too may become a child of God. In that way, you will become a citizen of the KINGDOM OF GOD and benefit from this position, first in this present life and later on in eternal life, where you will be forever with God. Pray and ask Him to give you the HOLY SPIRIT, without fearing that you will receive something evil. JESUS is the bread of eternal life, who will nourish your soul if you truly hunger for things of the spirit.