The Bread That Gives Life (John 6:41-59)
Scripture: John 6:41-59 (ESV)
“So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ They said, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, “And they will all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.’”
In this passage, Jesus continues His teaching about being the Bread of Life, and the conversation takes a challenging turn. The Jewish audience grumbles, struggling to accept Jesus’ claim that He came down from heaven. They knew Him as the son of Joseph and Mary, and His heavenly origin seems implausible to them. Jesus addresses their doubts, emphasizing that faith in Him requires the drawing of the Father and that only those taught by God will come to Him.
Jesus reiterates His identity as the Bread of Life, contrasting Himself with the manna that their ancestors ate in the wilderness. While the manna provided temporary physical sustenance, those who ate it eventually died. Jesus, however, offers Himself as the "living bread" that grants eternal life to those who partake of it.
As Jesus deepens this metaphor, He makes a provocative statement: “The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” This declaration causes further confusion and dispute among the Jews, who take His words literally and are shocked at the idea of eating His flesh.
Jesus does not back down but intensifies His message, speaking of the necessity of eating His flesh and drinking His blood to have eternal life. This statement is rich in symbolism and points to the sacrifice Jesus would make on the cross, offering His body and blood for the salvation of humanity. Eating His flesh and drinking His blood symbolizes a deep, personal participation in the life and death of Jesus, a spiritual communion that goes beyond mere physical nourishment.
This teaching is hard for many to accept, but Jesus insists that those who "feed on" Him will have eternal life and will be raised up on the last day. He explains that His flesh and blood are true food and drink, essential for abiding in Him and for Him to abide in them. The intimacy and dependence described here highlight the deep spiritual connection that believers are invited to have with Jesus—a relationship that sustains and gives eternal life.
Key Lessons for Our Daily Lives:
Understanding the Bread of Life: Jesus offers Himself as the true bread that came down from heaven, distinct from the manna that temporarily sustained the Israelites. Reflect on how Jesus, as the Bread of Life, is different from any temporary satisfaction the world offers. Are you seeking lasting fulfillment in Him, or are there things in your life that provide only temporary satisfaction?
Embracing Spiritual Nourishment: Jesus’ teaching on eating His flesh and drinking His blood speaks of a profound spiritual reality: the need for total reliance on Him for spiritual sustenance. Consider what it means to spiritually "feed on" Jesus in your daily life. Are you taking in His Word, prayer, and communion with Him regularly to sustain your spiritual life?
Accepting Hard Teachings: The Jews struggled with Jesus’ hard teachings because they misunderstood Him literally. In your own life, there may be teachings of Jesus that are challenging or difficult to accept. Reflect on any areas of struggle in your faith. How can you ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and embrace these teachings more fully?
Experiencing True Communion with Jesus: Jesus describes a deep, abiding relationship with those who feed on Him, a communion that sustains us and keeps us connected to Him. Reflect on how you can deepen your communion with Jesus. Are you finding ways to remain in His presence throughout your day, allowing His life to flow through you?
Living with the Assurance of Eternal Life: Jesus promises that those who feed on Him will have eternal life and will be raised up on the last day. This assurance provides a powerful foundation for our faith and hope. Reflect on how this promise impacts your daily life and perspective. How does knowing that you have eternal life through Jesus influence your decisions and actions?
A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the Bread of Life, who offers us eternal nourishment and life. Help us to understand the depth of this spiritual reality and to seek fulfillment in Him alone. Teach us to embrace the hard teachings of Jesus, trusting in Your wisdom and guidance. May we experience true communion with Jesus, relying on Him for all our needs, and living with the assurance of eternal life. Strengthen our faith and draw us closer to You each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.