Jesus: The Bread from Heaven

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 6:22-40

 

John 6:35-36

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. ³⁶ But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.

(NKJV)

 

 

The election in the United States is over with still a few races undecided. Those whose candidate lost can fall into despair with those whose candidate won becoming complacent. The middle ground comes from realizing Jesus Christ is still on the throne and in control and that we must still pray for those in leadership whether we supported them in the election or not (1 Timothy 2:1-7). From the solid foundation of Jesus Christ as the King of Kings in control and as the bread from heaven bringing salvation to all through the cross, do not stop praying for the salvation of all, including our leaders.

 

On the day after Jesus fed the five thousand and walked on the water, the people standing on the other side of the sea observed only the boat of the disciples, remembering that Jesus had not gone with the disciples (John 6:22). Other boats did come in from Tiberias, but the people noticed that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, so they departed for Capernaum, seeking Jesus (John 6:23-24). Seeing Jesus on the other side of the sea, the people asked him when he had come there, not knowing about him walking on the sea (John 6:25).

 

Jesus replies by telling them they were not seeking Him because of the signs they saw but because they ate the loaves and were satisfied (John 6:26). The Lord then tells the people not to labor for food that perishes but instead seek food that endures to everlasting life coming from the Son of Man and God the Father who sent Him (John 6:27). The reply of the people is asking how they can do the works of God to which Jesus replies with the work of God being to believe in the one sent from God (John 6:28-29).

 

This reply from Jesus prompts the people to ask Jesus to perform a sign so they may see it and believe (John 6:30). They then mention how God provided manna from heaven to feed their fathers in the wilderness (John 6:31). Jesus agrees with them that God did provide manna from heaven, but that God has provided the true bread from heaven, one who comes down from heaven giving life to the world (John 6:32-33). This prompts the people to ask for this bread to which Jesus replies He is the bread of life with those coming to Him never hungering and those believing in him never thirsting (John 6:34-35). However, these people have seen Jesus and still do not believe (John 6:36).

 

Jesus then tells them that all that the Father gives Him will come to Him and that anyone coming to Him will not be cast out (John 6:37). Jesus continues by telling them that He has come down from heaven not to do His will but the will of the Father (John 6:38). The will of the Father is that all who come to the Son and believe will have everlasting life and be raised up at the last day (John 6:39-40).

 

The miracle of feeding the five thousand was a sign pointing to Jesus, the true bread of life but the people fed by Jesus sought another sign and a meal before they would believe. According to Hebrews 11:6, faith is essential if one is to please God. However, this is not faith in something we can see, but faith in what we cannot see, God Himself (Hebrews 11:1). Those fed by Jesus could see Jesus, God Himself, and yet asked for another sign (John 6:30). These people were not seeking intimacy with God through faith but free goodies from God. Jesus declares He is the bread of life (John 6:35), bread that brings eternal life through belief (John 3:16, 6:40). Those speaking to Jesus who were among those fed sought their next meal, Jesus offers eternal life.

 

Every believer must ask who Jesus is to them. Is He the one they go to when in trouble and needing a miracle, or is he the bread of life who gives them eternal life? Is He the God of my next free goodie, or the God I am seeking a closer relationship with and the God I want to spend eternity with? Is He just the God of my next meal or the bread of life and my God and Savior? I encourage everyone reading this to ponder these questions.

 

Repentance is making a 180-degree turn from any wickedness or sin in our lives. If after pondering the questions above God revealed some unrepentant sin in your life, I encourage you to repent and ask God for forgiveness (1 John 1:9). If pondering these questions has caused you to realize you have never entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as your personal savior, I encourage you to do so now. Romans 10:9-10 teaches that if one confesses with his or her mouth that Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead, and believes this in the heart, they will be saved. If this is what you believe in your heart, I urge you to make the confession by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

  May the Lord challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.