Bread of Life

John 6:30-40

30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always”. 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day”.

Notes

The crowd called Him Rabbi, showing respect or perhaps applying to be disciples. But the Lord revealed their intentions; they followed because of the food they ate. Jesus instructed them to seek the food that brings eternal life, not the earthly one. The crowd sought a sign so that they might believe. The previous signs were not enough for them. Perhaps the sign they seek resembles the manna in the wilderness where the Israelites ate for forty years. They collected the manna every morning for forty years. Jesus explained that their real need is the bread that gives eternal life and that the bread of eternal life is Himself. But the crowd will not believe. Jesus knew that they were not from the Father. He would explain that all who believe are given by the Father to Him, and He will not lose anyone.

1. Crowd Seeks for a Sign

   Even though the crowd already saw the signs, they sought a compelling sign to make them believe. Then they mention the manna that God sent in the time of Moses. The Israelites ate manna for forty years. Jesus would then mention bread that would never make them hungry again.

   
   30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always” (John 6:30-34).

   
   

2. I AM the Bread of Life

   When the crowd asked for the bread from heaven, Jesus responded by saying, “I am the bread of life.” He explained that those who come to Him will never hunger and thirst. Then Jesus revealed the crowd does not honestly believe.
   
   35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe (John 6:35-36).
   

3. God’s Design

   Jesus knew that the crowd did not honestly believe. He explained that it is the Father who gives followers to Him and those who do, He will never reject. And all whom the Father gives to Him will never be lost. Such is the will of the Father that those who believe will have eternal life.

   
   37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:37-40).

Application

1. Look to Christ

   The crowd sought more signs; perhaps they desired daily provisions like manna. But they could not see who was before them or understand what the Lord was saying. Let us look to Christ Himself for eternal life, not mere earthly food.

2. Know the Father’s Work

   Not everyone will believe in the Son of God, but those who do are the Father’s gift to the Son. Let us acknowledge the Father’s work in salvation. As the Father gave the Son to those who believe, He also gave all who believe to the Son.

3. Believe

   What should we believe in? From the text, we should believe He is the bread of life, which is much better than the manna in the time of Moses. And we believe that He is the One who gives eternal life; He is the only One sent by the Father to give eternal life.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What was the crowd truly seeking?

2. How did Jesus respond to the crowd? Explain His answer.

3. Explain the role of Father and Son in granting eternal life.