John 6:34

“Well, in that case, Lord,” the people reply, “sign us up to receive this bread from you from this day forward.” John 6:34 EFP

Does this phrase not sound somewhat similar to the reply of the Samaritan woman to Jesus’ offer of living water?  She said, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." (John 4:14 NIV)  Is that not the same attitude?  I think so…sort of.

It seems to me her request was for Jesus to give her the living water so she would not have to come back to the well.  She saw the bankrupt routine she had chosen for herself and wanted something better.  Jesus offered freedom from the routine of the past in exchange for a new-found freedom from the earthly in favor of something beyond the earth-bound.  This crowd, on the other hand, seems to be asking for more of the same thing that took place yesterday.  They wanted bread from Him from this day forward.  They are still locked in to the earth-bound.  They are fixated on the bread.  The woman has begun to grasp there was something bigger at play than merely water to quench her physical thirst.  They could not see the heavenly bread due to their obsession with the earthly bread.  That’s sounds faintly familiar.  Jesus knows what I need.  So often I want what I want, while convincing myself it is what I need. Lord, help me want what you know I need!