Written ~ 04-11-2024
Read John Chapter Six
John 6
As with the books of Matthew (vss.14:13-21), Mark (vss.6:30-44) and Luke (vss.9:10-17)… John chapter six reiterates the story of Jesus feeding the crowd of 5000 with five loaves of barley and two fish, also we see the brief telling of Jesus walking on the water (further accounts of this story are found in Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 6:45-52).
The rest of our chapter for today has Jesus explaining that He is the Bread of Life.
What is the first thing you think of when you see the words “Bread of Life?” Is it only as the sustenance you need to keep your body strong and healthy? Or do you think of Jesus as your life giving nutrition? The latter is what we will learn about today.
Jesus had just fed 5000 men along with all the women and children who had gathered to hear Him teach, He supplied their needs because they were physically hungry. The next day the crowd began searching for Him… this is where we pick up our story…
John 6:26-27…
26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with Me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given Me the seal of His approval.”
Think about what your attitude is towards God, our Father in Heaven. Do you only look to Him for your wants and get upset when He doesn’t fulfil your every whim? Do you accuse Him of not “doing His part” because you don’t see the miraculous happening in your life? Jesus was, in a way, reprimanding the people who were looking for Him that day. He knew they didn’t understand He was the Messiah, He knew they only wanted to “hang out” with Him because they were being fed and saw some truly amazing things happen.
Jesus was sent to us by the Father to draw us near to Him, to bring us Salvation and eternal life. This concept had completely gone over the heads of these people gathering around. Let’s look at what they really wanted…
Verse 6:28…
“They replied, ‘We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”
These people did not want to know Jesus, the Son of God better, they only wanted to perform the same miracles He did. They were missing the point of why Jesus had come to earth. Look at the response Jesus gives to their desire…
Verse 6:29…
“This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the One He has sent.”
Friends, this is what the Lord desired from us as well. We are to believe in the One that the Father has sent to us. To yearn only for the miraculous to happen, we will completely miss the purpose of Salvation. The next couple of verses show us just how far the people crowding around Jesus were from understanding the truth of His words.
Verses 6:30-31…
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.’” (Exodus 16:4, Psalm 78:24)
We may read these verses and think how in the world could these people say something like this to Jesus, “show us a miraculous sign, then we’ll believe in You.” But listen, how many times have you gone to the Lord saying something like… “God, if You’re up there, if You’re real show me a sign?” The people talking with Jesus even tried to give Him an example… “Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
The response from Jesus shouldn’t be overlooked, maybe stop and really think about what He is saying…
Verses 6:32-33…
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.”
Moses wasn’t the one who provided the Israelites with their daily sustenance, it was God. These people had Jesus standing right there before them… the True Bread from heaven, the very One who gives us life. And what do they say to this incredible news? “Give us that bread every day.” Had they missed the point again? I think so. Their concern was their physical hunger, not their salvation. Is that how you and I can treat the Lord? As a means to get what we want? To fulfill a physical hunger and that’s it? As we will continue to learn, Jesus is so much more than that!
Verses 6:35-40…
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.”
Up until now, the people gathered around had been focused only on their physical needs being provided for, Jesus is trying to pull that attention onto their spiritual needs. He is telling us that everything we could possibly want or need is found in Him. Do you believe that for yourself? Can you let go of your physical desires long enough to be spiritually filled to capacity? Are we fulfilling the desire of our Father in heaven by believing in the One He sent from heaven? Are we seeking Salvation so we can have the gift of eternal life? Are we stepping into the Will of God by accepting this Bread of Life?
How do you think the people in our story responded?
Verses 6:41-42…
41 Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because He had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know His father and mother. How can He say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”
Yet again, they completely missed what Jesus was saying. They could only see Jesus as a man standing before them, their eyes and ears were closed to the truths He spoke about. Let’s not make that same mistake. Ask the Lord to open your eyes, to open your ears to see and hear the truth. I love the response Jesus gave… “Stop complaining about what I said…” (vs.6:43a) He goes on to tell us that the Father draws us to Himself, He is the one who teaches us, “…everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to Me…” (vs.6:45b)
In the next set of verses, Jesus pours it all out. Some may understand, but many will turn away from following Him on that day because of what He says… prepare you hearts and minds, ask God to bring wisdom and understanding. Think about the spiritual symbolism of what Jesus is saying, those around Him on that day could only hear His words as they pertained to the physical… they missed it His point completely.
Jesus says…
Verses 6:47-58…
47 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. 48 Yes, I am the Bread of Life! 49 Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. 50 Anyone who eats the Bread from heaven, however, will never die. 51 I am the Living Bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this Bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is My flesh.”
52 Then the people began arguing with each other about what He meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.
53 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. 54 But anyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. 55 For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 Anyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him. 57 I live because of the living Father who sent Me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”
After reading these intense words from Jesus you might be contemplating their meaning just as those gathered around Him on that day did… But don’t let their meaning escape you.
When Jesus used His body as a sacrifice and was put to death on that cross for us, He shed His blood, His flesh was ripped from his body, He gave us His flesh and His blood so we might have Salvation from sin and obtain eternal life. Though Jesus may have been speaking figuratively, the meaning to what He was saying was all too real for Him. Jesus was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum when He said all these things (vs.6:59). Is it possible that those in attendance were looking for Salvation? They were at church to learn. But much of what Jesus said was very hard to swallow. His meaning escaped their understanding. Many of His followers said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” (vs.6:60)
So, what does it mean to you? Are you able to accept what Jesus is saying?
Jesus shed His blood, His body was broken, for us. Believing in Him and accepting what He did on the cross is “eating His flesh” and “drinking His blood.” If we were to try and understand with our human brains alone, knowledge and wisdom will not come…
Verses 6:63-65…
63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe Me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and He knew who would betray Him.) 65 Then He said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to Me unless the Father gives them to Me.”
Do you see what it says there? “Human effort accomplishes nothing…” If we try to overthink what the Holy Spirit is trying to convey, we will miss what Jesus is teaching us. But if we allow our spirits to become one with the Holy Spirit, have Jesus reside within us as Lord and Savior, our hearts and minds will become united in spirit and truth. Forgiveness and eternal life will be obtained.
Verse 6:66… “At this point many of His followers turned away and deserted Him…” To me it would be quite discouraging to see those who used to hang on your every word turn and walk away when the subject matter gets a little tough to understand. But guess what? Jesus knows everyone’s heart, He knows who will accept who He is and He knows who will turn away from Him for good.
As we continue on this journey of seeking truth from the Scriptures, align your heart with the Holy Spirit, have Him teach you, have Him pour into your life – pray to the Father for wisdom and knowledge.
~AMEN~
- It’s possible you have never thought about the meaning of “eating the flesh of Jesus” or “drinking His blood. But remember what it symbolizes… it is your belief and acceptance in what He did on the cross for you and for me. The free gift of Salvation can be yours… consider today, that right now, is the time for you to acknowledge who Jesus is, and accept Him into your life. Won’t you humble your heart and pray for Salvation? Don’t overthink this decision… the Lord is waiting…
Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
- If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you!
- It is very important to me that those who might be reading these journal pages of mine and don’t yet know the Lord Jesus Christ, that you make that decision. Today. Your heart and mind may not understand everything you have been reading, but if you open your heart to the truth of who Jesus is, you will be saved from sin and death. By the Power of the Holy Spirit you will be amazed at how quickly after giving your heart to the Lord your eyes and ears will be opened to the truth.