Let's say you're planning a big Christian conference at your church this summer. You want it to be a success. As you're wondering who to book as your big-name speaker, one of your church members across the room lights up with excitement.

"We just got ahold of Jesus' secretary, and it turns out that Jesus, Himself, is available to do our conference! Should we book Him?"

You think for a moment and then tell your church member, "Tell His secretary, 'Thanks anyway, but we'll pass.'" When your church member asks you later why you made your decision, you simply say "John chapter six."

Dumbfounded, your church member pulls out his Bible and feverishly starts to read chapter six. Then a look of understanding comes over his face and he says, "Oh, I get it. He's not the kind of speaker who is happy with a big crowd. He's got His own agenda." 

If Jesus isn't looking for a crowd, what exactly is He looking for? 

Jesus understands that crowds are drawn to anything and everything that promises to scratch their itch. When Jesus miraculously feeds 5,000 people in John chapter six, He sees how the people are swept up in the moment and proclaim (while stuffing their faces with bread and fish), "Surely [munch . . . munch] this is the Prophet [munch . . . munch] who is to come into the [gulp!] world." John 6:14 (parentheses mine). The people are so enthused they are about to make Him king by force. Obviously, this isn't the reaction Jesus is looking for because, instead of joining with the crowd, He escapes from them in verse 15. 

But the crowd won't let Jesus get away. He had given them what they wanted -- a smash-hit record (so to speak), and they want more. They follow Him to Capernaum.

Maybe Jesus' disciples see the way this mob is running to Him and think to themselves that their ministry has finally arrived. Maybe they think that it's just a matter of time before they are all rich, influential and famous. If they do think those things, they are in for a rude awakening. 

Jesus speaks to the crowd and confronts the shallowness of their interest in Him, "You are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill" v. 26.

Not much has changed in 2,000 years. If we're looking at God like He's a vending machine, we're a part of that crowd. If we're willing to follow Jesus on the condition that He gives us health, safety and a six-figure salary, we're a part of that crowd. But some in the crowd have the right motives. And Jesus knows how to sift them out.

He drops an A-bomb on them, "I AM the bread of life ... unless you can eat [my] flesh ... and drink [my] blood you have no life in you" verse 35, 53. The crowds don't understand. Jesus' own disciples don't totally understand. Some of them even leave with the crowd. Jesus is left facing a much smaller group, his 12 apostles, and asks them the difficult question, "You do not want to leave me too, do you?" verse 67. 

Peter replies for the group, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God" verse 68.  In other words, "Jesus, we don't quite get what you mean, but we know you are the only one with the answer, and we know who you are. We're going to stick close to you, even though we don't have all the answers yet."

This is the kind of response Jesus wants. He doesn't want a fickle crowd that will abandon Him. He wants people who will hold on to Him, even when things got tough and even when they don't have all the information.

Jesus finally sees in this group what He is after and says, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve?" verse 70. I can't help but hear a note of delight in Jesus' words as He says this. But beyond that, Jesus reflects on the fact that this is the type of believer He has handpicked to carry on the baton of ministry.

Believers who hold fast to God -- even when things get difficult or when situations are hard to understand -- are the ones God can use to do His work in the world. 

So, if you're going through the wringer, hold on to Him and be encouraged that the steadfastness being formed in you is exactly what God is looking for.

"My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quietened my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and for evermore" --Psalm 131