The Bread of Life

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
John 6 (click the link)


KEY VERSES:
26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:32-35, NIV)


REFLECTIONS:
Outside of the Resurrection, the only one of Jesus' miracles recorded in all four Gospels is the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17). Matthew and Mark also record the story of Jesus walking on water immediately after the feeding (Matthew14:22-36; Mark 6:45-56). Each of the four Gospels contain their own peculiar details and twists, but only John's gospel records the long discussion that took place the following day in Capernaum.

When the people awake and find that Jesus is no longer with them, they had out in search of the miracle worker. And it's easy to see why they did. They had just experienced a remarkable miracle, and they excitedly wanted the experience to continue. But when they find Jesus, his response to them is almost churlish. He all but rebukes them for having the wrong motivation.

His charge against the crowds is that the "sign" of the miraculous feeding is meant to lead the people to the true food: the food the Son of Man will give (verse 27), the food which is Jesus himself (verse 35). What matters is not just what Jesus can do for you. What matters is who Jesus is. Only if we're prepared to be confronted by that in a new way can we begin to understand what he can really do for us, what he really wants to do for us.

………

The question of who Jesus really is now comes to the forefront, and will steadily dominate the discussion in the remainder of this chapter and in those to come. First off, he is the One upon whom the Father has set his seal (verse 27). God, like a king with his great seal, has stamped Jesus with a mark that declares not only where he comes from but that he carries the Father's authority. In other words, what Jesus is doing bears the marks that say loud and clear: THIS IS THE KIND OF THING THAT GOD HIMSELF DOES. The miraculous feeding and the walking on the water both speak of this in ways that, though quite different, are both related to the Exodus story. (The LORD led the Israelites to walk through the sea as if on dry ground, Exodus 14; then he provided them with manna and quail, Exodus 16).

Secondly, the demand that God is making on the people—the crowd realize that Jesus is pointing out that they can't just expect bread on demand, that if this really is a heaven-sent renewal movement there will be a new standard to which they must sign up. This means that God is making a demand on them, and it is this: THAT THEY BELIEVE IN JESUS. There will be no new detailed exposition of the commandments of the law. Instead, there is a command which, if it is to be obeyed, will require a change of heart.

This will require, in particular, the recognition that in Jesus—and in everything he is doing—the same God is at work who was at work in the Exodus story. It seems odd that people ask for a further sign when Jesus has just given them one. (I can see Jesus smacking his palm to his for head in exasperation.) But Jesus doesn't answer their request for a further sign. Instead, he points out that the real answer to their question is standing right in front of them. Moses didn't provide the people with manna—he was only God's agent. What was going on, all along, was that God was providing not just the physical nourishment from the sky, with the spiritual nourishment which kept alive their faith and hope. That was what God was doing in the Exodus story, and that was what he was doing now, through Jesus.

………

In a climactic manner, Jesus announces the first of the famous "I am" statements—"I am the bread of life" (verse 35). This statement is so important that it's repeated twice more, in verses 48 and 51. This is just another way of saying what John said in his Prologue: Jesus is the Word, the one who comes from the Father into the world to accomplish his purpose. And the particular purpose Jesus highlights in this instance is spiritual nourishment. Until the people recognize who Jesus really is, they may be full of bread and fish, but there will be a deep hunger inside them—a hunger which will never be satisfied.

………

When we take food into our bodies, we are nourished and strengthened and energized. In a similar manner, when we come to Jesus in faith—believing that he in himself is all we need—we are filled with the eternal life that comes through him. When we feast on Jesus, we are abundantly satisfied, nourished down deep in our inner being and strengthened for whatever he calls us to do. All we must do is recognize our need of him.

In an ironic twist, the people's request for more food in verse 34 is the perfect wording for a short breath prayer expressing our deep yearning for spiritual nourishment. In faith, our hearts can cry out: "JESUS, ALWAYS GIVE US THIS BREAD." And when we do, we are filled!


WHO AM I?
I am Tres Sansom, and yesterday was the 42 month anniversary of the day I laid eyes upon my wife for the first time. You might think that that's a silly thing to celebrate. But I was so captivated by Kate's beauty and charm that I can't help but remember. Even to this day, I am blown away by her strength, consistency, joyful manner, grace, and love. I've never been around someone like her—someone who naturally and easily and tirelessly loves those she encounters. I am a blessed man!