Jesus: “I am the bread of life”
John 6:28-40
28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”
29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
30 They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? 31 After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
32 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”
35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. 37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”
The people in this story had just experienced an incredible miracle – lunch for at least 5000 people from enough food to feed one person. They could see Jesus was someone special – maybe a prophet, and Jesus was worried they might force him to be king.
He declares in these verses he is sent by God for another purpose.
His purpose was to be God’s instrument of salvation, not to be an earthly ruler (v 38-40). This highlights the reason for his famous statement “I am the bread of life.” Jesus offers and makes possible eternal salvation. Believing in him means we are “never going hungry and never being thirsty” (v35). Our spiritual sustenance comes from a relationship with God, the way we are designed to be.
Jesus’ perspective is eternal, not the immediate.
Just like Jesus’ listeners, it is so easy to be caught up with and focused on the “physical” need, the “here and now” pressures. My spiritual hunger is much more important. Life is empty without my spirit being nourished and sustained. There is that feeling of “there must be more.” Belief in Jesus’ death for me and relationship with him satisfies that hunger – I know my value to him, that I am valued enough that Jesus died for me.
Jesus’ words also encourage me that God will keep me safe (v37). He will hold onto me; he will not reject or condemn me because I trust in Jesus. My confidence for eternity is in him, not myself. God will hold me forever.
Dear Lord Jesus, the manna fed the people in the wilderness every day for 40 years. The manna was a forward glimpse of you, the Bread of Life, and the provision God would make for all eternity, for me. Thank you for your sacrifice for me, and that all I am asked to do is believe. I believe in your promise for me. Thank you. Amen.
Written by Claire Moore