“And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick” (John 6:2 ESV).
The apostle John reported that large crowds began to follow Jesus in the Galilee region because of the “signs” he was doing. John called the miracles of Jesus “signs” for they were given that people might believe in him as the Messiah.
The crowds grew even larger after Jesus fed the 5,000, miraculously multiplying two fish and five loaves of barley to feed them all with twelve baskets leftover. Yet, the miraculous “signs” were not given that they might seek more miracles, but that they might seek the Master himself.
Signs are not designed to point to themselves, but to give direction and verification. No one pulls off the road and parks under a sign thinking they have arrived. No, they take the exit and follow the sign to that to which it points.
The crowd seeks a sign, a true disciple seeks the Savior. The crowd wants another miracle, a true disciple follows after the Master. What do you follow after–– the miracles or the Master?
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for only seeking after you when we are in desperate need. Teach us to seek after you in order to follow, to look not only to your hand, but to your face. We are your servants. We worship you in Spirit and truth because we have accepted Jesus as Master and Savior. We thank you for your many blessings. In Jesus’ name, amen.