Why do we seek Him?

  When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. ²⁷ Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal."   John 6:25-27

John begins his gospel by defining Jesus as the "Word" ("logos") which became flesh. (1:14). It was through the word of God that all things were made in creation as God spoke the world into existence.  Then in the backwater of Judea appears one known as John the Baptist.  The locals recognize him as a prophet and went out into the wilderness to find him.  We discover that he is a first cousin of Jesus.  He proclaims Jesus as the lamb of God who comes to take away the sins of the world.  By Chapter 6 Jesus has learned of his cousin's death at the hands of King Herod.  Jesus, in turn, goes into the wilderness and the crowds follow him.  He feeds them miraculously while teaching them that he is the bread of heaven.  He sends his disciples on ahead of him to escape the crowds and catches up with them at night during a storm. This is when Peter receives his "baptism" after walking on the water.  They arrive at Genneserat in the morning and the crowds follow with the sick all the way to Capernaum. Perhaps Jesus was still grieving the loss of his cousin.  One can sense the frustration of his being hounded by those who want physical healing and satisfaction. By verse 66 many of them found his words to be so harsh, that they left.  Perhaps that was the Master's intention?  To thin out the crowds of those whose only interest is on "my needs".  Perhaps he was looking for disciples who could discern the spiritual needs over the physical.   I think this is the key to his discourse.  At the end, he asks them if they are willing to go with him?  The response of Peter is one of my favorite passages.  Perhaps Peter was still drying out from his previous night's experience of being wet behind the ears?  But Peter seems to get it:

 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life;  and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."       

John 6: 68-69

This is the precursor to Peter's great confession in Matthew 16 and Mark 8.  And, I think it is the path of faith for all disciples.  When we have tried everything else and it has failed, where else is one going to go?  Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ and his righteousness.  When we can call upon him as both Lord and Savior, we are no longer bystanders watching from the cheap seats.  We are in the game with Him.  When we begin to grasp that we labor for the food that does not perish, we gain more than a ticket to heaven.  We get to join God on His journey where we discover that it is not about us.  It is the road less traveled and it is the narrow gate. But, it is confirmed in one's heart by the seal set upon each child of God by our Father in heaven.  It is so worth it!