John 6:22-71
Title: “I am
the Bread of Life”
Analysis:
John
continues to bring us through the ministry of Jesus and we now come to the
first of Jesus’ “I Am” statements. These statements convey to the people that
Jesus is the Messiah, Son of God, and only way to the Father. Jesus was not
just a prophet nor just a miracle-worker but rather the Son of God who came to
this earth to save people from their sins.
In
verses 22-25, we see the people’s urgent desire to get to the Lord, so urgent
that they travel across the Sea of Galilee to be in His presence. They find Him
and question Him saying, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” The people did not
seek Jesus Himself and the Lord immediately exposes their hearts to them. He
knew full well that they sought Him only for the food and rebukes them saying,
“Do not work for the food which perishes but for the food which endures to
eternal life.” The crowds are displeased and ask Jesus for a sign, once again
showing their hearts, for they really wanted food again.
Jesus
now states plainly to the crowd in verse 35, “I am the bread of life.” This is
the pinnacle of our Lords entire discourse with the people. Whoever believes
that Jesus is the Christ will never perish and will never be cast away. And
even in the last day Jesus Himself will raise up those who put their trust in
His name.
John
now interjects the thoughts and words of the crowds both here in vs. 41-42 and
also in vs. 52. As the passage continues the Jews grow continually hostile and
begin to reject the words of the Messiah. In vs. 42-43 they mock the Lord
saying, “Is not this Jesus…son of Joseph…How does he now say, ‘I have come
down out of Heaven’?”
The
Lord, ever mindful of the grumbling and hateful thoughts of the unbelievers
directly addresses them and confronts their unbelief. He continues to explain
that no one can come unless the Father draws him. Also, He confronts their
desire for physical food saying in verse 48-50, “I am the bread of life. Your
fathers ate 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.”
Still,
the unbelieving Jews argue with themselves (vs. 52) because they did not
understand His words. Jesus explains once again that they must, “…eat my flesh
and drink my blood…” (Vs. 54) and also, “…so he who eats Me, he also will live
because of Me.” (Vs. 57).
Because
of this call to commitment that the Lord Jesus Christ made of His disciples was
hard to understand and believe, many who had only followed Him for the food
and wonder of the miracles were rooted out and left (vs. 66). Jesus now focuses
on His own 12 disciples and questions them saying, “You do not want to go away
also, do you?” Peter, as a spokesman of the disciples gives a very profound and
amazing response in verses 68-69 saying, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have
the words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that you are
the Holy one of God.” What an amazing confession he makes. Unlike the people
who followed Jesus for the superficial gain, Peter begins by calling Christ
‘Lord”. He declares their submission to Him as master and proclaims that He
alone has the words of eternal life.
But
even Jesus Himself knew that one of them would betray Him. John, is this
section of scripture shows us that although it seemed that many truly followed
Christ, the reality was it was only very few. And even among the Messiah’s
closest disciples, one of them hated him with an utmost hatred.
Response:
What is an appropriate response to
reading this passage? In a word, ‘belief’; complete belief that Jesus Christ
the Holy Son of God is the King of the universe and the only one who can save
my soul from eternal punishment in hell. Jesus truly is the ‘Bread of Life’ and
only those who partake in His body can be called Children of God. I must
confess with Peter that Jesus is in fact, ‘Lord’ and not just say it but rather
believe it and live it out. Those who were truly Disciples of Christ did not
leave Him in this situation; instead they saw their ultimate need for them,
realizing that without Him they could do absolutely nothing.
Blessings,
Lucas C.
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