TEXT: John 6:26-27 (NKJV)
26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” John 6:26-27 (NKJV)
Question about the work of God. John 6:28-29 “… What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? John 6:28 (KJV) Trade by barter is a human system of exchange of good and services. That is how we attempt to get what we need or want, with what we have. Unfortunately, we think to do the same with God. What shall we do, they asked Jesus, so that we too can do the work of God?
Before this question occurred, Jesus had just fed thousands of people with a few loaves of bread and fish. People were excited and were looking for Jesus. When they found Him… they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?” Before Jesus answered them, he exposed their motive. He said “… I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled” John 6:26 They were more interested in what is good for the flesh than the hope of eternal life. Therefore, be aware that when you ask or pray to God, He hears your heart beats not the vibrations of the lips. The people were more interested in food or rewards than the signs of the Kingdom of God. So, those who asked Jesus what we shall do, had similar mindset. Jesus knew they were looking for power to multiply goods rather than godliness. They were more interested in the signs which fed thousands with perishable bread, draw crowd, and provide instant gratification. But Jesus was trying to introduce the bread of life. “I am the bread of life; (he said), I am the living bread which came down from heaven, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have not life in you, and he who believes in Me will never thirst … and has everlasting life. John 6:35-47 (NASB)
So, to answer the question “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” John 6:28 (NASB) 29 Jesus …said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” John 6:29 (NASB) This answer was not rewarding to thousands of people who ate the miraculous food. People are always interested in the gospel of gains than of godliness. Yet godliness does not preclude privileges in this present world. But From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. John 6:66-68 (NKJV)
That is the work Jesus Christ came to do and taught his disciples who stayed to do the same. Matthew 28:18-20 The work of God is not much about crowd sourcing or building brick-and-mortar church, for bread-and-butter congregation. It is as Jesus said, “33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (NASB)” We must as a result, prioritize the work of God to populate the kingdom of God than the kingdom of man. This is the spirit of revival prayer, “to make sure we are following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.” Therefore, we must continue to fan the flame of revival, to work the work of God. Making people believe in the signs and wonders of the faith, hope and love of God. This concludes the Q&A session with Jesus. We will now start with other gifts of the Holy Spirit. Let us do it again next week. God bless you.