John 6:14-15: Not King by Force

Krissa Lox

Active Member
John 6:14-15

Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.



This happens right after the miracle of feeding the multitudes with the loaves and fishes. It's the second time Jesus rejects direct rulership over nations, the first being his temptation in the desert when the devil offers all the kingdoms in exchange for His bowing down to him.

It's not because Jesus didn't care about the people or want to help or guide them. The very reason He was there in the first place was because He was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd (Mark 6:34, Matt 14:14). But His desire is for people to come to Him in love and willingly given submission, not to rule over the unwilling by force or be artificially exalted just for material gain.

When the people continue trying to pursue Him for the wrong reasons, He tells them:


John 6:24-29

When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say into you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Then they said unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.


(And then there's a lot more after that that is well worth reading, but lengthier than I'm going to type out here. But basic summary is Jesus goes on to tell the people what He really wants of them, at which they all get offended at for not meeting their expectations and leave. Except for the twelve disciples, who confess that they don't really know what He's talking about either, but they know He's the Son of God with the eternal words of life, so where else are they going to go if not with Him? John 6:30-69)
 
Back
Top