The Bread of Life (John 6:22-40)
Scripture: John 6:22-40 (ESV)
“On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do, to be doing the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ So they said to him, ‘Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”’ Jesus then said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.’”
In this passage, we find the crowd seeking Jesus after the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. Motivated by their desire for more physical sustenance, they fail to grasp the deeper spiritual significance of the miracle they witnessed. They are looking for Jesus not because they recognize Him as the Son of God, but because they enjoyed the miraculous provision of bread and want more.
Jesus challenges the crowd, urging them to seek not the perishable food that sustains the body temporarily but the eternal sustenance that He provides—the “food that endures to eternal life.” This statement points to a deeper spiritual truth: while physical needs are important, they are temporary, and Jesus offers something far greater and everlasting.
The crowd, still misunderstanding, asks Jesus what works they must do to perform the works of God, showing their focus on actions rather than faith. Jesus redirects them, emphasizing that the true “work of God” is to believe in Him whom God has sent. This shifts the focus from human efforts to divine grace and faith in Jesus.
The crowd then asks for a sign, referencing the manna given to their ancestors in the wilderness. Jesus responds by clarifying that it was not Moses but God who provided the manna, and now God is offering the true bread from heaven—Jesus Himself. This bread is not just physical sustenance but is the source of eternal life.
When Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life,” He reveals a profound truth about His identity and mission. As the bread of life, Jesus satisfies our deepest spiritual hunger and thirst, offering eternal life to all who come to Him. He assures those who believe in Him that they will never be cast out and that His mission is to do the will of the Father, which includes raising up those who believe on the last day.
Key Lessons for Our Daily Lives:
Seeking Eternal Nourishment: The crowd sought Jesus for physical bread, missing the spiritual nourishment He offered. Reflect on what you are seeking in your life. Are you focused on temporary, earthly needs, or are you seeking the eternal nourishment that only Jesus can provide? Jesus invites us to pursue a deeper relationship with Him that satisfies our souls.
Believing as the Work of God: Jesus teaches that the primary “work” God desires from us is to believe in Him. This belief is not just intellectual assent but a deep trust and reliance on Jesus as the source of life. Consider how you are cultivating this kind of faith in your daily life. Are there areas where you are relying more on your own efforts than on trusting in Jesus?
Understanding Jesus as the Bread of Life: Jesus’ declaration, “I am the bread of life,” is an invitation to come to Him for spiritual sustenance and fulfillment. Reflect on how you are drawing spiritual nourishment from Jesus. Are you spending time in His Word and in prayer, seeking Him as the source of your strength and satisfaction?
Trusting in Jesus’ Promise of Eternal Security: Jesus promises that those who come to Him will never be cast out and that He will raise them up on the last day. This assurance provides a deep sense of security and hope. Reflect on how this promise impacts your faith and your daily walk with God. How does knowing that Jesus holds you securely in His hand affect your outlook on life’s challenges?
Living in Alignment with God’s Will: Jesus emphasizes that He came to do the will of the Father, which is to provide eternal life to all who believe in Him. As followers of Jesus, we are called to align our lives with God’s will. Reflect on areas in your life where you may need to realign your priorities with God’s purpose. How can you live in a way that reflects a commitment to God’s will and mission?
A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the true bread of life, who satisfies our deepest spiritual hunger. Help us to seek not the temporary things of this world but the eternal life that comes from believing in Your Son. Strengthen our faith to trust in Jesus fully and to rely on Him as our source of nourishment and strength. Thank You for the promise of eternal security in Christ, knowing that He will never cast us out and will raise us up on the last day. Guide us to live in alignment with Your will, reflecting Your love and purpose in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.