To further understand how similar the search for religion in Jesus' day is like today, we read in John, chapter 6 that crowds by the thousands followed Jesus often ending the day without food to eat. Consequently, when Jesus fed 5,000 people with 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish, the crowds were overwhelmed and impressed. Now, they thought they had finally found the spiritual leader they were looking for. Consequently, when Jesus tried to leave these thousands upon thousands, they did all they could to stick with Him. Simply put, Jesus told the crowds, you are following me not for spiritual reasons, but so you can appease your fleshly appetites.
People claim they are seeking spirituality.
And yet, the leaders the majority of people follow today are those who promise wealth and faith healing, and any other type of blessing one can imagine. This is also why the words Jesus spoke to the crowds 2,000 years ago are the same He is speaking to us today. If you are looking for real religious fulfillment, Jesus said, don't go after things that fill your stomach or billfold. Rather, seek those things which fulfill your spiritual needs and bless you with God's gracious forgiveness and hope. Of course, in this new millennium of 2000, there are still crowds milling around looking and searching for some type of quasi-spiritual teachers that promise fulfillment of body and soul.