Reflection from Rev Trevor Lloyd

Reflection for May 5, 2025

Today’s Gospel is John chapter 6 verses 22-29

The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realised that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. Once the crowd realised that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, ‘Rabbi, when did you get here?’

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. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.’

Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’

Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’ (NIVUK)

A few days of warm sunshine and our village turns into a midsummer seaside resort, with crowds on the beach, traffic jams and queues for Hockings. Are you idly watching the boats go by? But these people were not on holiday. As the crowd waited and watched, counting the number of people, the number of boats it must have been pretty hard work. Why? Looking for Jesus can be pretty hard work: you need a clear motivation to do it. Would you admit to looking for Jesus? Was it because they were longing to hear more of his teaching? Because they knew they were ill and needed healing? Why would you look for Jesus? They ask him an impatient question about how long he’s been there, evading them, fooling them. But has has no need to ask them why they are looking for him. He knows, like he knows us. He knows why we do things, our sometimes mixed and complicated motivations, sees through us like he sees every thing that goes on in our hearts and minds. They want repeat miracles, not because they reveal the majesty, power and compassion of God but because they are greedy: they want more food.

So Jesus challenges them – and us. That physical food, just like the manna in the desert, will fade and not give eternal nourishment. You need more. Think about that next time you have something to eat. ‘Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.’ Have you learnt how to feed spiritually on Jesus Christ, how to take in the nourishment that comes from being close to him? But the crowd want the certainty that they think comes from performing some schedule of good works that God will approve of. Did they think that doing the work of God was a short cut to satisfying their greed?

So Jesus challenges them about what kind of food they really need. He challenges their self centred greed. And Jesus challenges them – and us - to believe in him.

We pray for courage to face God’s challenges

Risen Christ,
you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope:
strengthen us to proclaim your risen life
and fill us with your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

Common Worship: Collects and Post Communions, material from which is included here, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000