Why Do We Follow Jesus?

This morning I am reading from John 6:1-2, 14-15 NIV:

[1] "Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), [2] and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick."

[14] "After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” [15] Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself."

These verses discuss an interesting dynamic, that of Jesus refusing to be exalted. He was gathering thousands of people, he was ministering miracles, signs and wonders, healing everyone, and yet he did the very thing that most men would ever do, He walked away. He walked away because He knew the thoughts of men, He knew they were misunderstanding His purpose and goal for being on the earth. They wanted to make Him king, which would have caused a major issue for both Romans who had Caesar and the Jewish people who had King Herod. In one way, Jesus was protecting the people, for they would have born the brunt of the reprisals, had they tried to make Jesus King.

I think the same type of thing happens when a person, especially a minister gains a level of recognition, and people flock to him, or her. This is an exceedingly difficult test, for so often we look at the greater numbers, and think they are impacting so many for the Lord, yet there is great danger for those that are gathered, as well as for the minister. If the Lord is not continually glorified, continually lifted up, the people can mistakenly put the minister on some sort of pedestal, or dais. This is very unhealthy and ultimately will lead to disappointment, wounding, betrayal, and even destruction. Jesus is the Lord, we are all just His vessels, through whom He chooses to move. We must be willing to lay down everything for the sake of our relationship with Him. He is more important than any ministry we do, any great work. He is the Lord of all, and everything we do should be at His direction and with His approval.

In this case, Jesus walked away, went to the other side of the lake, went to a different group of people. Interestingly, many of the previous group followed Him and when He saw them, He confronted them - "Jesus answered, “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. He knew what drew them, and it wasn't the healing or miracles, it was because He had fed them. They were willing to look right past the spiritual food, the healing of their bodies, minds and spirits, and going for that which would sustain them just for the day. There is a sad reality there. How often do we bypass that which is for our deeper need, so we can just satisfy our immediate need?

There is also an important point concerning why we follow Jesus, or why we pray to Jesus. Do we come to Him for the blessings He bestows? Do we expect Him to answer our prayers for stuff, and then get angry and abandon Him, when we don't get what we want? The purple of signs and wonders, healing, multiplication of food, is to draw people to the Lord, which is good, but the result is supposed to be relationship. We are called to deeper relationship, deeper purposes than just having our needs met. God loves to heal us, loves to bless us, but the purpose is for relationship, shared life.

So, let us pursue the Lord, for His sake, for the sake of deepening relationship. Let us seek Him, and His leadership, not the leadership of one of His messengers, one who ministers in His name. Let us be grateful for the blessings and immediate needs He provides, but let us press on into deep abiding relationship.