John 6:26 English Standard Version (ESV) Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.”

Have you ever seen a soup kitchen where the homeless are fed? In the past Christian organizations would see to it that the gospel was presented during the meal. Those people were not there to be saved, only fed. Food banks today only feed the stomach and not the soul.

During Jesus’ ministry there should have been an understanding in the significance of breaking bread together. From the earliest days of waring nations the breaking of bread had always been a sign of putting an end to hostilities. Eating with your enemy was a covenant act. It is no accident that Jesus made that comment in chapter 6 of the gospel of John.

John 6:35 English Standard Version (ESV) Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

John 6:41 English Standard Version (ESV) So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”

John 6:54 English Standard Version (ESV) Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

John 6:66 English Standard Version (ESV) After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

I have selected specific verses from chapter six to point out that the signs that where seen from old and passed down throughout all the generations was for putting an end to the hostilities between man and God. The bread of life was offer by God as a peace offering and a sign of the covenant between man and God. This new covenant was contained in the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Many stopped following Jesus because they only wanted their physical needs met and could not see beyond their own selfish interest.

God wants to put an end to the rebellion.

What do you want?

Mark 2:17 English Standard Version (ESV) And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark’s rendering of this saying includes an unmistakable definition of what being sick means. Matthew and Luke left out that little detail. It is a significant definition.

If you are not sick, you will not seek a physician. If you are not a sinner you will not seek salvation. Can we be sick and not know it? Sure we can. Can we be a sinner and not know it? Sure we can.

We will only seek a doctor if we think we are sick. We will only seek salvation if we need it. Knowing we are a sinner does not determine if we will seek salvation. Some relish in the idea of sin. Some do not see the need to change their sinful ways. They are good with being bad.

The first work of salvation is performed by the Holy Spirit as an external agent causing sin to be a burden to the sinner. It stops being fun. Consequences of sin start weighing heavier than the joy of sin. The sinner seeks relief, they become needy.

One of the most important aspects of evangelism is getting to know the condition of the sinner. What is going on in their life? How do they feel they are doing? Are they feeling the pangs of guilt or is the world still to blame for all their problems? Original sin blamed others and it is not until a sinner recognizes that they need to change that salvation will appear on their needs list.

Remember my salvation expression: “I don’t want to be like this.”