When Jesus fed the 5000, some of the Jews saw great potential in him as being the Messiah; able to lead them to victory against the Romans, and thus restoring the kingdom to Israel. This is exactly what they wanted and what they desired. Their dreams of glory was to restore God's kingdom again here on earth, through one who is the descendant of David (John 6:14-15)

How often do we want and expect something, just to be disappointed when we get it? Could it be that we expected one thing and got something else? Could it be that all of the "hype" about the thing really boiled down to just "hype?" When Jesus came he did not claim to come to restore Israel's fortunes as they were in the days of David and Solomon; he came to restore people back to God. This they did not want -- most of them thought they were in pretty good shape with God anyway.

Unfortunately, many people today are looking for Jesus to return and establish an earthly kingdom to the Jews, and will be sadly disappointed. With Jesus it is all about restoring man's relationship with God. His kingdom is a spiritual kingdom (not of this world -- John 18:36). We are a part of that kingdom now in the church. The church is God's representative kingdom here on earth, and those who are members of the church must always realize God's kingdom is not about sticks and stones here on earth, but allowing God's rule to enter our lives and change them for the good of ourselves and the world.

When Jesus realized that the people wanted to make him king (thus destroying the notion many have today that Jesus failed in setting up his kingdom the first time he was here, because the Jews didn't allow him to become king), he sent his disciples away by ship and retreated to the mountain alone to pray to the Father. He sent the disciples away because he knew they would like nothing better than to establish a kingdom here on earth, and he knew they would help this effort by the Jews. He spent time with the Father to renew his energy and faith, and to remind himself why he came. Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are (Hebrews 4:15) and it would have been a temptation to use his power to become king. But this is not why he came.

Sometimes we all get sidetracked about what our purpose and mission is here on earth. We seek the glory of men in schemes to be popular and well liked. We seek money and a good paying job, so we can be influential, and get more things to show others how important and valuable we are. We seek the gratification of fleshly desires in whatever way we can, whether by drugs, alcohol or other means. We seek love from others, and so many debase themselves to get some attention and love. But all of these things of the world leaving gaping holes in us -- we know that they cannot satisfy. So we look high and low for something to fill the emptiness and uselessness of what we do. Some never find it! But the answer is there all along -- the hole has to be filled by God. He has given us the reason why we are here(Ecclesiastes 12:13). He has given us purpose -- to lose ourselves in him.

Perhaps if more of us look at the example of Jesus (and lived by his example) we would not have as many disappointed dreams here in this life, and we will be better suited for the life to come. What are you looking for?