Want Him or Need Him?

Turn to John 6: Not really a sermon - just share some thoughts from this past week.

I have a friend who on occasion will lament about being needed vs. wanted This friend is a doer and a giver and does quite a bit for others. There are times when this person feels taken for granted. My friend somewhat jokingly says, “I’m going to change my name to, Canyou. There are times when people forget my name, my needs, and it’s just can you do this for me? Can you do that for me? Can you stop by and pick that up for me? Can you …?

Then my friend asks the question - “I know people need me, but do they want me? What if I didn’t do what they asked - would they still want me? Would they still like me? It seems like there are times that I’m only needed for what I can do and not for who I am.”

Last week, I was sitting in my sacred space in the morning and that conversation started going through my mind. I thought about wanting someone for who they are vs. just needing them for what they can do.

When we want someone, we unselfishly desire them and their company - we want to be with them for who they are - no strings attached. But when we “need” someone only because of what they can do - that’s selfish - self-centered. The relationship isn’t as much about what I can give to them, but about what I can get from them.

Then I thought about my relationship with Jesus and wanting vs. needing Him. There are genuine legitimate needs in our relationship with Christ. I need Jesus for salvation - eternal life. I need Jesus for forgiveness of sins and shame and guilt. I need God for my very breath. I need God and His guidance … I need His Word …. We have genuine needs with God - and rightfully so. We are not to be independent but dependent on God. However, needing Jesus is different than wanting Him.

Here’s a question to ponder this week - what would you say is the difference?

Don’t waste these stay at home restrictions. Do some self-evaluation. Ask some hard questions like, “Do I want Jesus, or do I just need Him?” Wrestle with that.

I get it - the answer should be both - we need Him, and we should want Him. But if we were to put “wanting Jesus” and “needing Jesus” on a scale, what would that scale look like? Only you and Jesus can answer that.

Here’s a thought on how to evaluate that - Assess our prayers. Are there any patterns or themes? I’m going to guess that a lot of us pray to this god called, “Canyou.” “God, can you do this? God, can you do that? God, can you give me? God would you?”

I’m not saying we shouldn’t ask God for anything or ask Him to intercede for others - we should. But if the majority of our relationship with our Lord and Savior and King is about Him doing what we ask, then do we really know Him? Do we really want God - not for what He can do but for who He is?

I started looking at my own prayers. “Lord, help me manage; help me write; help me speak; help me do; help me know …” I need to pray those things, however if that’s the extent of the relationship, if I never move beyond asking God to do do do … if I never sit and enjoy the relationship, enjoy Him and His presence … then I need to ask the question, do I really want Him.

So, I’m pondering all this last week and then John 6 came to my mind. This is where Jesus fed at least 5,000 people and probably more. And Jesus asked his disciples, “How are we going to feed everyone?” The disciples were texting each other “IDK.” Then Peter texted John, “IHOOHM?” And John texted back, what is “IHOOHM?” Peter replied, “Is he out of his mind?” Anyone have a friend like Peter?

Then Andrew finds a boy with 5 loaves of bread and two fish - “Yeah, IHOOM. This isn’t going to work.” Jesus had everyone sit down, they distribute the bread and fish, everyone eats, and they even had leftovers. That evening, the disciples get into a boat, row across the Sea of Galilee. Later that night, Jesus walks across the lake. In the morning, the crowd wakes up and says, “Where’s Jesus? Let’s go find him.” So they cross the lake and find Jesus in Capernaum.

John 6:25–26 ESV

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.

In other words, “You don’t really want me. You just ‘need’ what I can do for you.”

What would Jesus say to you and me right now? Take the time now while you have it to look at not only how we pray, but how we read the Bible / spend our time / spend money … what’s the theme? What or who is the common denominator?

This is not about making any of us feel guilty. This is a good time for a spiritual tune-up / realignment.

Jesus continued the conversation with the crowd. Reminds them when God provided manna to the Israelites in the desert. But even with that they would eat, get hungry, eat get hungry …. Then He said there is this other bread from Heaven that won’t leave you hungry. And they say, “Give us this bread. I won’t have to bake anymore, go to the store ….” Who are they still thinking about?

John 6:35 ESV

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

In other words, in Jesus, in a genuine relationship with the risen Christ, our innermost desires and needs can be met. Our desires are not necessarily met in what He can do for us, or in doing what we ask Him to do … our desires are met in Him.

This reminds me of when Jesus sent out the disciples to go preach the gospel. They came back and were ecstatic. “We can cast out demons - amazing!” And Jesus said, “Yes, yes, that’s great,

Luke 10:20 ESV

Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

He’s like, “I know having your prayers answered and having authority over spiritual beings is great, but that’s not as important, that’s not as amazing as having a relationship with Me.”

Why is it so amazing? What is so amazing about having a relationship with Jesus?

Before I answer that, let me ask this - What if Jesus never answered another prayer for the rest of our earthly lives? What if Jesus stopped doing whatever we asked Him to do? Would we still want Him?

Keep that in the back of your mind. Let’s answer the question, what is so amazing about having a relationship with Jesus. Well, there are countless things, but for this conversation think of this …

What can we offer God that He doesn’t already have? What can we do for God that He can’t do for Himself? What does God need from us? God doesn’t need anything from you or me. It’s not like God would say, “Thanks, I’ve been needing one of those - I’ve looked everywhere - even on Amazon. I couldn’t find it, but you - you gave me something I needed.”

God does not need you or me or anything we can give - but, and here’s the amazing part - He wants us. Not because of anything we can do or give - but simply because He wants us.

For God so loved, so wanted every person in the world ….

And so the question I have to ask myself is do I want Him. What does that look like? How do we shift from just needing to wanting?

Just thoughts to evaluate …. We’ll probably pick this up again next week to continue the conversation.

Would you like to receive Christ today? Trust that He loves you. Trust that He died on a cross to forgive you of all sins and guilt. Trust that He wants you and to begin a new life with you. Trust that He is returning soon -