By Priest Isaiah White
When Jesus came to this world, he was born in Palestine, and the days, Jesus was born, the region of Palestine suffered numerous problems ranging from economic huddles, Political oppression and religious confusion. The times and days were hard for any ordinary person in the region. The Birth of Jesus in the field of rabbis was more of a blessing to many.
Jesus was a rabbi whose ministry was filled with miracles that blessed and changed the lives of many. While this was a good thing for the audience, this was not the intention and goal of the miracle-working power of the lord. To Christ, miracles were a sign to non-believers to indicate to them the arrival of the ultimate solution to the ultimate problem. Jesus had not come to deal with hunger but rather the cause of that hunger.
When he gave them bread in John 6, His goal was to ensure that the physical bread symbolized the eternal spiritual bread that takes away the hunger of the world, which is his sacrificial body for the salvation of all. Unfortunately, the lesson was lost in the examples presented to them in the form of miracles.
The allure of loaves
Here is the record of a historical event: “So when the people saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal.” (John. 6:24-27 RSV)
What is happening in this text is that Jesus as usual has previously performed many wonders and especially wonders that entail feeding masses. And now these Masses are seeking Jesus wherever he is. The ethical problem here is in them seeking Him not for Him but for what He can offer. They are lured by the loaves he can provide but not the love he can offer. In their hearts they are after loaves not love.
According to verse 26 of John chapter 6 Jesus finds this exploitation and he feels manipulated and used by these masses.
Manipulating God
The crowd’s stomachs were full. Just hours before, Jesus had multiplied five loaves and two fish into a feast for thousands – a breathtaking miracle revealing divine compassion and power. Yet, when they found Him again across the sea, Jesus delivered a piercing indictment: “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill” (John 6:26, NIV).
When was the last time you sought God, and why were you seeking him in prayer and fasting? Why did you give all that offering that you gave? Why did you attend that conference? Why did you travel all those miles that you travelled? Why did you sacrifice whatever you sacrificed? Well, it is a pity that God in this text opens up to each of us; He feels manipulated and used.
Unethical allegiance
The human tendency to exploit the Divine for selfish ends is both embarrassing and unethical. In John 6:26, Jesus identified a profound ethical failure – seeking God primarily for the material benefits He provides, while neglecting the transformative relationship and righteous will He demands. Today, this “exploitation ethic” manifests in ways that distort the Gospel, damage witness, and ultimately betray the very God we claim to serve.
There was a time in the Old Testament days when God complained about the same habit (Isaiah 1:10-17), Religious observance – ostentatious prayers, public fasting, meticulous tithing (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18). becomes a performance designed to manipulate and exploit God. God is used as a prop to elevate self, masking inner pride and judgmentalism with a veneer of holiness. This is not only unethical but blasphemous as well.
Reducing God to a cosmic benefactor, a tribal mascot, or a rubber stamp for human ambition. His holiness, sovereignty, and call to holiness are obscured. Jesus’ words in John 6:26 cut to the heart of the issue: misplaced motivation. He redirects the crowd – and us – away from the temporal “loaves” towards the eternal “sign.” The miracle wasn’t just about filled stomachs; it was a sign pointing to His divine identity and mission – ultimately, the Bread of Life offering eternal salvation (John 6:35).
By Isaiah White, A life coach and theologian contact: 0775822833, whitemwine@gmail.com
