Work, work, and more work

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”  –John 6:29 (NIV)
 
In the aftermath of feeding the five thousand came a discussion about work. The people had tracked Jesus down, not to gain understanding of the deep things of God, but to grab another free meal, perhaps even to discover how they might continue to eat without ever working again. Jesus turned the discussion in a new direction. He took it as a given that work is part of the human condition: Work isn’t evil – it existed prior to the fall of man. As such, He encouraged them to invest their efforts in something of eternal value.
 
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life.  –John 6:27a (NIV)
 
They thought they knew what He was talking about – they turned to the law. What is the bare minimum needed to fulfill the requirements of God and get on this gravy train? Once again, they demonstrated their lack of awareness regarding spiritual things, having no context in which to consider or understand a bigger picture than “What’s for lunch?”
 
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”  –John 6:28 (NIV)
 
Jesus spelled it out, but in a way that would only be grasped by those able to discern….
There is work – the time and talent we give in exchange to make a living. Then there is work – expending focus and energy to follow rules, meet expectations, and gain approval. Then again, there is work – believing in the One sent by God.
 
All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.  –John 6:37-38 (NIV)
 
On the surface, the third form of work seems to be the easiest. But it ultimately results in relationship. And relationships require time, investment, and maintenance to remain healthy. Ask anyone who has ever been married or had children. Relationships mean sacrifice and the full cost is rarely understood at the start. But the work is given willingly because the relationship is the reward, and in this case, the reward is eternal.
 
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.  –John 6:39-40 (NIV)