It was almost time for dinner but the crowds didn't want to go home. All day they had spent listening to Jesus, soaking in His stories and His words about the kingdom. Many had walked far from their villages, having eaten nothing since morning. But instead of sending the multitudes home, Jesus fed them all. A little boy shared his meager dinner, packed by his mom that morning, of five small loaves of bread and two fish.
When Jesus asked the blessing, the food multiplied in His hands. And five thousand men were filled, not to mention women and children. As the food was passed from person to person, a crazy momentum began to build. All day long they'd listened to words that sounded like God come down from heaven. Now they were eating miracle food.
"The hopes of the people rise higher and higher. This is He who will make Judea an earthly paradise, a land flowing with milk and honey. He can satisfy every desire. He can break the power of the hated Romans. He can deliver Judah and Jerusalem. He can heal the soldiers who are wounded in battle. He can supply whole armies with food. He can conquer the nations, and give to Israel the long-sought dominion" (Desire of Ages, pg. 377).
This was the moment the disciples had dreamed of. People begin to whisper, "He's the Messiah! The Messiah is with us!" They know Jesus won't rally an insurrection, so they agree to take Him by force, to put Him on the throne themselves. But Jesus knew what they didn't--their plan would only lead to senseless bloodshed and His mission would have been squelched. He had to stop this mad frenzy before it got out of control. So He ordered the disciples to get in the boat and row to the other side of the lake. Then somehow Jesus sent the multitudes home and went up the mountain to pray. He needed time alone with His Father.
But the news of the miracle spread across the lake. The multitude searched for Jesus--on land and on sea. They thought He might have gone to Bethsaida, so they all went looking for Him there.
Why did they go looking for Jesus? Did they crave to hear more of God's kingdom? Had His words burned in their hearts like a roaring fire? Were they drawn by Christ's love and compassion? I'm afraid not. They looked for Jesus like a child looks in the window of a toystore. All they could think of was "I want...I want." Sure, they wanted Jesus--they knew if they could attach themselves to Him, they'd have everything they ever dreamed of. Food. Money. Power. They'd have it all! But they didn't want Jesus Himself, only what He could give them.
That's when Jesus said, "Most assuredly I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs--not because you saw My power and knew I cared for you--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." If our prayers are only about asking Jesus for things, is it possible that we could end up like the multitude in the story?
It isn't wrong to ask God's help when you've lost a loved one or when you're battling temptation. Just don't stop there. God is willing to help you, but He wants to give you much more than you've asked for. More than loaves and fishes. More than health and strength. More than stuff and more stuff. "Desire not merely His blessing, but Himself" (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pg. 131). Jesus wants to have communion with you, to have an intimate relationship with you.
And the Bible assures us, "if you seek Him, He will be found by you!" (1 Chronicles 28:9) Isn't that great news? And it says so much about prayer! Because prayer is a relationship with the God who cares. He cares when we're hungry and the money is gone. He cares when we're racked with pain and the doctors don't know why. He cares when you're empty or struggling with sin. Jesus wants to be your Provider, your Healer, and your Redeemer. But He wants to give you something that goes beyond His gifts. He wants to give you Himself!
Listen to the Savior's heart in this promise--"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). Every spiritual blessing is found in Jesus. He's the highest blessing heaven can give you. Jesus says, "My child, I know you're hungry, but what you need most is Me. You need communion with Me--mind to mind, heart to heart."
Our prayers can bring us into that communion, into an intimacy that very few have discovered. We may know God's presence at each and every step. We may hear His voice each and every day. In its very essence, prayer is a deep encounter with God. It's entering an atmosphere so near to heaven that you can almost hear the flutter of angel's wings.
My Prayer,
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the loaves and fishes, for taking care of me all the time. You give me all I need. But what I need most is You, a deeper relationship with You. Teach me to experience Your love and grace and all that You are as I talk to You each day. Speak to my heart as we talk together, so that I will always have Your presence with me. In Jesus' name I ask this, Amen.
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