Jesus and Buffets
Imagine a hungry and expectant crowd of 15,000 people following a man who had been performing miraculous healings and delivering inspirational teachings. As the day wore on, this man, Jesus, turned to his disciples with a seemingly impossible task: feed this massive crowd.
One disciple, Philip, quickly calculated that even six months' wages wouldn't feed everyone. Another disciple, Andrew, found a kid with a lunchbox. The contents? Bread and fish – a mere drop in the ocean. Yet, in Jesus' hands, this kid’s lunch became a feast for thousands, with plenty left over.
This miraculous provision drew even more people to Jesus. The next morning, the crowd awoke, stomachs growling, ready for another supernatural breakfast. But Jesus was nowhere to be found. Undeterred, they tracked him down across the lake (to the other side— a sermon in itself), their determination seemingly a sign of true devotion.
But Jesus saw through their motives. "I tell you the truth," he said, "you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs." (John 6:26)
It was time for a defining moment in their relationship. Jesus was about to close the all-you-can-eat buffet and have a heart-to-heart with his followers. He knew they weren't sacrificing to follow him – they were following the food. How would they respond when the buffet closed for them, and it came time to feed others?
Jesus offered himself as the ultimate sustenance: "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35)
But would that be enough for them? Spoiler alert: nope.
This scenario raises a profound question for all of us: When Jesus is the only thing on the menu, do we discover He's what we were hungry for all along?
Life has a way of bringing us to this crossroads. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, parents get divorced, addiction seems unbeatable, or a relationship crumbles – suddenly, a little bit of religion isn't enough. The spectacle, the fish and loaves, the Sunday service – none of it cuts it anymore.
In those raw, desperate moments when Jesus is the only thing left on the menu, we find out (rather quickly) if He's precisely what we need. He transforms from a distant figure in a blue sash to our only hope, our lifeline in the storm.
The crowd in John 6 faced this decision. Were they hanging around for the perks, or was it about the relationship? Sadly, many turned away. "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him." (John 6:66). Not mere crowds, but disciples!
This pattern repeats throughout history and in our own lives. People are drawn to the idea of heaven, the excitement of miracles, and the comfort of community. But when Jesus removes all that and offers only Himself, many walk away.
Even Jesus' closest disciples faced this test. He turned to the twelve and asked, "You do not want to leave too, do you?" (John 6:67) Can you hear the sadness in His voice? The disappointment as He realized why so many had been following Him.
Imagine cultivating a relationship with someone, taking them on increasingly special dates, and pouring out your heart—only to realize they were just there for the free meals and entertainment. Wouldn't that break your heart? That's how Jesus must have felt.
But in this crucial moment, Peter's response rings out: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68-69)
Here's the crux of the matter: Fans will abandon Jesus when His teaching becomes difficult, when He asks for sacrifice, or when He calls us to take up our cross and die to ourselves. But faithful followers recognize that they have nowhere else to turn, and they do not want to turn to anyone else.
If we were guaranteed a ticket to heaven and could be absolutely sure that Jesus was the Son of God, wouldn't we find it easier to stand firm in our faith? Wouldn't we approach our busy schedules differently? Wouldn't we be bolder in living out God's teachings, even when they conflict with societal norms?
The hard truth is that we can't know for certain. Jesus didn't perform miracles before our eyes, and we couldn't touch His wounds like Thomas did. We have to choose to believe, just as the disciples did.
Jesus doesn't offer us unmistakable signs written in the sky. He doesn't promise visions or angelic visitations. But He does guarantee that if you trust Him, He will never fail you. If you stake your life on His message of truth, He will stake His life on your eternity. If you put your hope in Him, He'll guide you to an eternity with God the Father.
The question is: are you a fan or a follower?
Fans show up for the spectacle, the free food, the good feelings. Followers stay when the teaching gets tough when sacrifice is required and when the crowds thin out.
Fans want Jesus to fit into their lives. Followers reshape their lives to fit Jesus' calling.
Fans bail when things get uncomfortable. Followers ask, "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."
Ultimately, it comes down to this: Is Jesus enough for you? Is the Gospel a life to live or just a bumper sticker to display? Are you all in the way Jesus was all in for us?
The buffet is closed, and the crowds have thinned. Jesus stands before you, offering not miracles or free food but Himself. I want to answer that question like a pastor, but I sometimes get distracted and fed up. And you know what? He still loves me, turns my way, and offers himself again.