The Bread of Life (21 Days of Prayer & Fasting)
Bread of Life: John 6:35, 48
This claim by Jesus was one of great significance for the listeners during Jesus' time and to us today. Let's set the scene and see what leads to this statement about Himself.
First, Jesus had begun His ministry and is fresh off well-documented healings of the official’s son (John 4:46-54) and the sick man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-5:17). Crowds had begun to take notice and appreciate, marvel, and desire to see firsthand the work, teachings, and miracles of Jesus (John 6:2). These crowds continued to follow Him, reaching five thousand men. With just five barley loaves and two fish, Jesus distributed the food around to all and they ate until they were full and satisfied. This miracle was indeed staggering, especially since there were 12 baskets full afterward (John 6:13), unfortunately, many present were blind to its greatness and instead were just thankful to have a free meal.
Second, this statement the bread of life starts with the statement "I AM." This is the first of seven "I AM" statements that Jesus used to explain His mission and character. This term “I AM” would cause the Jews to know just who Jesus is claiming to be. "I AM" was first used by God to Moses at the burning bush to tell the people of Israel who had sent him to lead them out of Egypt. "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14), indicates that the ever-eternal, powerful God, Yahweh, is unmatched, unrivaled and there is none that compares to Him.
Third, bread plays an important role in history leading up to this time. When Israel was led out of Egypt by Moses, the people were very quick to complain to Moses and forget about God's goodness that He had just displayed (Exodus 16:3). The LORD exemplifies great compassion and care for the Israelites by giving them bread from above to take care of their temporary need for hunger.
All this leads up to our name for Jesus today, the Bread of Life. This claim comes from Jesus after the crowds caught up to Him the day after the feeding of the 5,000 miracle and walking on water. Jesus warns the spiritually blinded crowds, "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 (John 6:27)." But the people continued to ponder and question and became restless in desiring right then and there what Jesus was revealing to them. Jesus follows up their desire for this "bread of God" (John 6:33) with "I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst (John 6:35)." The crowds are shocked. Who does this guy think he is (John 6:42)? They felt as if they had been bamboozled like Ralphie and the "crummy (Ovaltine) commercial." The crowds had not been Houdinied but rather were missing the point! The Savior of the Jews and sinners they had long waited for, had come! He didn't come just to give them physical bread for their earthly needs. He came to give them the Bread of Life, spiritual bread i.e. eternal life! Their stomachs would hunger again as they probably were that day after the filling meal the night before. But Jesus was trying to show them there's something so much better available for them to take. He is the Bread of Life because He has come "down from heaven and gives life to the world (John 6:33).” No food or drink on this earth could satisfy them forever, nonetheless for a few hours or days. But taking this Bread would supply them with all they could ever want or need, a Savior who came to die for their sin and bring them into fellowship with the I AM.
The Bread that Jesus offers leads to a satisfaction and peace that man can never know outside of Him. While reading this story, we may find it laughable that the crowds were blind to the point of Jesus’ miracles. Yet, the world around us is the same way. They are blind to their sin and need of a Savior. May we be encouraged by Jesus’ words today and be spurred on to share the news about the Bread of Life with those around us. He truly is all that we need!
This claim by Jesus was one of great significance for the listeners during Jesus' time and to us today. Let's set the scene and see what leads to this statement about Himself.
First, Jesus had begun His ministry and is fresh off well-documented healings of the official’s son (John 4:46-54) and the sick man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-5:17). Crowds had begun to take notice and appreciate, marvel, and desire to see firsthand the work, teachings, and miracles of Jesus (John 6:2). These crowds continued to follow Him, reaching five thousand men. With just five barley loaves and two fish, Jesus distributed the food around to all and they ate until they were full and satisfied. This miracle was indeed staggering, especially since there were 12 baskets full afterward (John 6:13), unfortunately, many present were blind to its greatness and instead were just thankful to have a free meal.
Second, this statement the bread of life starts with the statement "I AM." This is the first of seven "I AM" statements that Jesus used to explain His mission and character. This term “I AM” would cause the Jews to know just who Jesus is claiming to be. "I AM" was first used by God to Moses at the burning bush to tell the people of Israel who had sent him to lead them out of Egypt. "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14), indicates that the ever-eternal, powerful God, Yahweh, is unmatched, unrivaled and there is none that compares to Him.
Third, bread plays an important role in history leading up to this time. When Israel was led out of Egypt by Moses, the people were very quick to complain to Moses and forget about God's goodness that He had just displayed (Exodus 16:3). The LORD exemplifies great compassion and care for the Israelites by giving them bread from above to take care of their temporary need for hunger.
All this leads up to our name for Jesus today, the Bread of Life. This claim comes from Jesus after the crowds caught up to Him the day after the feeding of the 5,000 miracle and walking on water. Jesus warns the spiritually blinded crowds, "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 (John 6:27)." But the people continued to ponder and question and became restless in desiring right then and there what Jesus was revealing to them. Jesus follows up their desire for this "bread of God" (John 6:33) with "I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst (John 6:35)." The crowds are shocked. Who does this guy think he is (John 6:42)? They felt as if they had been bamboozled like Ralphie and the "crummy (Ovaltine) commercial." The crowds had not been Houdinied but rather were missing the point! The Savior of the Jews and sinners they had long waited for, had come! He didn't come just to give them physical bread for their earthly needs. He came to give them the Bread of Life, spiritual bread i.e. eternal life! Their stomachs would hunger again as they probably were that day after the filling meal the night before. But Jesus was trying to show them there's something so much better available for them to take. He is the Bread of Life because He has come "down from heaven and gives life to the world (John 6:33).” No food or drink on this earth could satisfy them forever, nonetheless for a few hours or days. But taking this Bread would supply them with all they could ever want or need, a Savior who came to die for their sin and bring them into fellowship with the I AM.
The Bread that Jesus offers leads to a satisfaction and peace that man can never know outside of Him. While reading this story, we may find it laughable that the crowds were blind to the point of Jesus’ miracles. Yet, the world around us is the same way. They are blind to their sin and need of a Savior. May we be encouraged by Jesus’ words today and be spurred on to share the news about the Bread of Life with those around us. He truly is all that we need!
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