Christ Jesus had fed thousands with no more than "five barley loaves, and two small fishes." The reaction of the multitude had been to want to force him to become their king. But Jesus had withdrawn himself to Capernaum. On the very next day the multitude arrived there, seeking Jesus. Why? Jesus didn't mince words in the attempt to spare sensibilities when he said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled." John 6:1-15, 22-26.
Isn't it clear that the Master rebuked the multitude because of their lack of spiritual priorities? Although there is nothing inherently wrong in the tangible results that accompany spiritual healing, whether loaves and fishes or physical health, there is something inherently wrong in seeking the Christ primarily for material benefits. Such a motive is a stumbling block to spiritual growth, and Jesus knew it. Why? Simply because genuine good, the good that comes from God, isn't material at all. It's purely spiritual in origin, action, and essence.
Jesus patiently tried to turn the multitude away from the material to the spiritual sense of good in the sermon that followed his rebuke, but many remained unreceptive to his message, and John's Gospel records: "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." John 6:66-68. To Peter, the truth was more important than either loaves and fishes or material success and popular appeal.
