3.  The reason why you are looking for me is, not because you believe in me but because you ate ‘free lunch‘.  Christ knew very well the true intention of these people & He corrects the wrong motive they had in seeking him. In verse 27,

4. Let your work not be for the food which comes to an end, but for the food which goes on for eternal life...( John 6:27)

5.  The day before this conversation, Christ fed 5,000 men with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes ( John 6.11)  After the people saw the miracle Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” ( John 6.14)  On that the same day, these people had tried to take Him by force and make Him their king, but He withdrew and spent the night in prayer. ( John 6.15)

6.  Let your work not be for the food which comes to an end, but for the food which goes on for eternal life...

7. Ephemeral vs. Eternal Food (John 6:22-27)  Exo 16:35 - The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.  John 6:35 I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be in need of food, and he who has faith in me will never be in need of drink.

8. Ephemeral vs. Eternal Food (John 6:22-27)  John 4:13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,  John 7:38 - He who has faith in me, out of his body, as the Writings have said, will come rivers of living water.

9. Ephemeral vs. Eternal Food (John 6:22-27) John 4:11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? John 4:13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

10. Ephemeral vs. Eternal Food (John 6:22-27)  John 6:11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. John 6:55 My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.

11.  The crowd’s concentration was on the perishable food, “free food”  Our concentration & focus  on Christ; Salvation  A person who has $100 doesn’t worry about a dime/penny.  God = by default is everything because He is the source of all wealth and wisdom ( Ecclesiastes 2:26)  Happiness and enjoyment = Its source

12.  And the seventy came back with joy, when casted out demons in His name (Luke 10:17). Do not be glad, however, because you have power over spirits, but because your names are recorded in heaven (Luke 10:20).  We should be happy because we are Children of God and not because of the earthly materials we have (Gal 3:26)

13.  You are on a plane flight, traveling on a long journey (New Orleans to Egypt)  Do you focus on your destination or your transit?  Most of us would like to think of our destination.

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15. Life is a journey. Therefore we should focus on our destination – Salvation and eternity just as we focus on our destination during the plane flight to Cairo and or Asmara. During Liturgy in the ANAPHORA: Priest: Lift up your hearts. Congregation: They are with the Lord.

16.  God gives us everlasting life (John 1:12; Rom 6:22)  God gives us our daily food (Matt 6:11)  God crowns us with mercy and grace (Psalm 103:4)  God heals our souls and bless us (Psalm 103:3) As long as we put God first before anything else, He takes care of our needs.  “But let your first care be for his kingdom and his righteousness; and all these other things will be given to you in addition” (Matt 6.33)