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The Crisis in Galilee
This chapter is based on John 6:22-71.
Christ knew that a turning point in His history was reached.
Multitudes who wanted to exalt Him to the throne today would turn
from Him tomorrow. Disappointment of their selfish ambition would
turn love to hatred and praise to curses.
Yet Jesus did not try to avoid the crisis. From the beginning He
had held out no hope of earthly rewards. Many of those now con-
nected with Him had been attracted by hope of a worldly kingdom.
These must be undeceived.
Early the next morning, the people flocked to Bethsaida in great
numbers. Those who had left Jesus the preceding night returned,
expecting to find Him still there, for there had been no boat by which
He could pass to the other side. But their search was fruitless.
Meanwhile, He had arrived at the Sea of Galilee after an absence
of only one day. Those who had come from Bethsaida learned from
His disciples how He had crossed the lake. The disciples faithfully
recounted everything to the astonished crowd: the fury of the storm,
the many hours of adverse winds, Christ walking on water, His
reassuring words, the adventure of Peter, the sudden quieting of the
storm, and the landing of the boat. But many were not content with
this and hoped to receive from Christ’s own lips a further account of
the miracle.
Jesus did not gratify their curiosity. He sadly said, “You seek
Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves
and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the
food which endures to everlasting life.” Do not look just for material
benefit, but for spiritual food.
For the moment, this awakened the interest of the hearers. “What
shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Their question
meant, “What shall we do that we may deserve heaven? What price
are we required to pay in order to obtain the life to come?”
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