14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
John 6:14–15
They wanted him King not for who he was but for what he could do.
These people likely knew little of what the Old Testament actually said about the Messiah. They only heard what the Pharisees taught. What they did know was this was a man named Jesus sounded a whole lot like the Messiah who was to come and rule Israel. And like David, could free the people from oppression. They noticed God was with this man. In fact, they must have thought this guy was better than David. He could lead them to political victory plus magically make food whenever they needed it! A king to truly lead and make them once again like the other nations. They could stand up against the Romans and be a force to be reckoned with. The stories of old about mighty victories would once again be true. What could be better! All they had to do was make him King.
Strangely enough they never asked Jesus if he wanted to be king. Or perhaps they did and Jesus refused. Either way, it didn’t matter, they were going to fix what was wrong. They were going to force the hand of God. Now, wouldn’t you think that if the Messiah was to be king, God would do this? And if Jesus refused, that perhaps that would be a sign to them? But when the fleshly desires of man take over, rational is distant.
Germany did the same with Hitler. They were so tired of all the political fighting that they decided to just pick someone. Germany just wanted a king who would fix all their economic woes. Stalin rose to power on the heals of the Bolsheviks who took control by force. History tells us people do not change. And, including me, we all still have the same fleshly desires.
Doesn’t this sound better: Let’s just skip all this heart change stuff and get to the part where I need a miracle. Let’s skip the part where I sacrifice my time and money and get to the part where I am blessed. Even though these thoughts tickle our ears, let us be careful that in our prayers and in our walk we do not rush our relationship with the creator. He is a “still small voice” speaking to us which means we have to stop, pause our thoughts and allow the breath of the Holy Spirit to speak to us. This is difficult to do but if we want a true relationship that is more than a sales pitch, we must put effort into it. If I want more I must listen more. It is not always doing more or mustering more faith. Instead, the answer is pausing my life so that I can have ears to hear.
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