Why is it difficult to believe in Jesus?

After eating to their full satisfaction, the crowd sought Jesus who knew very well that they did not understanding the meaning of the feeding miracle. The crowd just wanted to solve their hunger problem which was their more immediate concern. According to the Hierarchy of Needs proposed by Abraham Maslow, physiological needs occupy the foundation of this hierarchy. Many advertisements nowadays still appeal to these basic needs to sell their products. Others have advanced along the hierarchy to appeals for security, love, status and even self-actualization.
Making use of every opportunity available, Jesus taught the people
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you (John 6:27).
Of course, all of us want to know the most effective and efficient way to solve the hunger problem, whether it be personal, regional or even global. Naturally, the crowd was interested to know how so that they, most of whom were likely to be peasants, hired labourers, displaced villagers etc., did not have to worry about food anymore in the future. They were eager to ask Jesus what they must do; even what God's work they must do so that they would have no worries about the problem of food anymore.
Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" (John 6:28)
However, Jesus gave an answer which did not ring.
Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." (John 6:29)
What? Believe in Jesus and the our personal hunger problem as well as the global hunger problem will be solved? Are we speaking the same language? I think we are not. The crowd was looking for physical food that fills the stomach. Jesus was talking about spiritual food that nourished the soul. He answered their question on another level, a high level even beyond Maslow's Hierarchy. Of course, we know from the Bible that when needs arose, God would provide. Once He fed 600,000 Israelites for 40 years. Not even the richest country in this world is able to sustain a military expedition of this scale (600000 x 365 x 40 x 3 meals and don't forget, the 600000 will grow in time.). This is not the point today. I was trying to say that Jesus (and God), like many of my students, failed to answer the question (according to our marking schemes).
Pope Benedict XVI wrote a book called Jesus of Nazareth, to rectify the errors of historical criticism among New Testament scholarship. This book also helps readers in general reflect on the true messages of the gospels. In the discussion of the first temptation of Jesus, he pointed out the error on our part to define the criteria which God must pass in order to prove His existence. If God fails these human defined tests, God is not God. We do not allow God to speak for Himself.
Why is it so difficult to believe in Jesus? I am sure there are many reasons. Superficially, we Chinese feel that Christianity is a Western religion, forgetting that Jesus was a Jew, an Asian. Next, we think that all religions are similar in the sense that they urge us to lead a moral life. Alas! Morality is relativistic. What is good in one culture may be evil in another. We Chinese will surely find Genesis 2:24 offensive. Then comes the scientific age. Many a modern man finds the miracles in the gospels incredulous. For one, my godfather, the late Mr. Chow Ti who was a biology teacher, always complained that the doctrine of virginal birth of Jesus was an obstacle for modern believers. Yet, the Church is unable to give it up. Lastly, the anti-witnesses of many Christians are doing a disservice to the Christ they profess to follow. Many people are disappointed with the behaviour of priests, nuns and Christians, the actions of the Church and her many institutions, including her schools. No wonder it is difficult to believe in Jesus nowadays.

My sweet Jesus, I count myself blessed to follow you. Regrettably, I have done You a disservice in conveying a distorted face of Yours to many people I meet. Help me in my remaining days to understand You better so that I may pass on Your love to my students. Amen.