Text: John 6:25-59
The Message
In John chapter 6, we see a large crowd following Jesus because of the miraculous signs He has done. It is here that Jesus miraculously feeds the 5000 from only 5 barley loaves and 2 fish. The crowd is amazed and they wonder if Jesus is indeed the prophesied One to come. Jesus disappears because He knows they want to make Him king.
Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee (on foot!) at night to escape the crowds. In the morning they discover He's on the other side of the lake so they come after Him again. This is where we pick up the story in John 6:25.
Many seemed eager to follow Jesus. But Jesus knew their real thoughts. Read verse 26 where Jesus said, "You are looking for me not because you saw the signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill." He knew the only reason they followed Him was to be satisfied with free food again. The people were only interested in the "pot luck" dinner they thought Jesus would prepare for them. They wanted more bread to put in their baskets. Jesus told them that they have looked for the wrong kind of bread - He IS the "bread of life". So what does Jesus mean?
Point No.1 : Jesus Satisfies Our Needs
Bread was and is the most basic of foods. How could we live without bread? Remember the Lord's prayer... 'Give us this day our daily bread'. Bread is a staple of life. So when Jesus says He's the bread of life, He's telling us that He is the true staple of life. He came to meet our needs. Jesus came to offer us eternal life but unfortunately all they want is an easier earthly life.
Question : Which one pre-occupies you - the earthly or the eternal?
What are we striving and focusing on each day? Is it to be a little more like Jesus today than yesterday? Is it to help God fill the world with a little more of His glory? Or are we striving more each day to fill our homes and bank accounts with more earthly, perishable things. Are we pre-occupied with getting more glory - more attention - for ourselves?
If we have accepted Jesus Christ as out Saviour, the we should be more pre-occupied with the things of God then the things of the world. We'll see temporal things as God sees them. Earthly pleasures are gifts freely given to us by God to enjoy and we must thank God for them. That way God is the focus of what we have and do on earth. (Read Ecclesiastes 2:25-26). Solomon said, without God who can eat or find enjoyment? (Read Matthew 6:33).
But the crowd that followed Jesus doesn't get this. They asked Jesus another question, in v.28, "What must we do to do the works God requires." Like so many people, they think to get what you want from God you have to do lots of good works because supposedly our good works will outweigh our bad ones. As we all know, many religions in this world believe in doing good works to be saved. Christianity, is the only exception. However, no matter how good is good work, good works have no power to save us all. Only Jesus Christ has the power to save our souls. Look at how Jesus response in v.29. "The work of God is this: believe in the One He has sent."
Point No.2 : Jesus Saves Our Souls
So, believe in Jesus Christ and you'll be saved. But first of all we must make sure we understand what Jesus means by believing in Him. Believing is not just knowledge but commitment to follow Jesus because we know He was sent from God to rescue us from our sins.
Question : Have you placed demands on God?
We need to be careful we don't make demands on God. We're done it though, without knowing it. When difficulties arise some people say Lord, how come? We've been faithful. We've done your will. This shouldn't happen to us? Without realizing it some people demand from God health and happiness because think they're faithful people and therefore God 'owes' them. When God doesn't meet their demands they fall apart or get upset.
Why? Because their focus is on earthly, temporal wants not eternal, enduring needs. What we need is Jesus and more of Jesus each day. We have to keep reminding ourselves and be realistic. Jesus came to meet our needs not our wants! He is the staple of life. He is what we can live on each day. He is what is essential. V.35, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never go thirsty..." V.40, "For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."
Jesus' claim and promise is something you can't find anywhere else. That is why for some people, choosing Jesus as the Bread of Life is a difficult decision. Only Jesus gives the bread that satisfies the deepest needs that we have.
Do you know what our deepest need is?
Our deepest need is to be sure that our soul will go to heaven when we leave everything else on earth one day. Our deepest need is to be loved, to be forgiven despite and in spite of our sins. Our deepest need is to be cleansed of every filth that has already poisoned our lives and to be saved from the fire of hell. Romans 3:23 says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Therefore our deepest need of man is to be rescued, to be made whole, to be who we are created to be and to be restored to our Creator God.
You can have this kind of life only if you have the Bread of Life in you. Only through Jesus can we be saved and be reconciled to our Holy God.
Jesus died on the cross for your sins and my sins. Each one must believe that His death (not our works) pays the price for our sins. Each one of us must confess we are a sinner and that we accept what Jesus did for us and choose to place our faith in Him who gives us eternal life.
Point No.3 : Jesus Sustains Our Life
In John 6:41 and 52, we still hear the people grumbling and arguing. This reminds me of the Jews during Moses' time. Why did the Jews grumble in the wilderness? Because they didn't get what they wanted and they did not appreciate what God gave them. It is the same here in v.41 and 52 - the people were grumbling and arguing. Why? Because they were not listening to what Jesus was saying.
Question : Are we grumbling because we're not feasting on Jesus?
The Jews grumbled because they were not eating of the bread of life. They wanted other kinds of bread. They rejected Jesus. It is the same with us. Believers who are not feasting on Jesus each day will be grumbling also.
Therefore, feast on Jesus and do not grumble. This makes Jesus the Bread of Life = Jesus the Word of Life.
We must eat of this Bread every day. In other words, we must read the Word of Life every day. What would happen if you ate only one meal every week? You would become weak and sick. Maybe you would die. It is the same with our relationship with God. We are to become what we eat. We are to become more like Jesus. Therefore, we must continue to eat of the Bread of Life and read His Word to live a strong Christian life that is pleasing to God.
Conclusion :
It is interesting to know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which really means "The House of Bread". And Jesus is our gift from God of the Bread of Life. He offers us eternal life as a gift if we place our trust in Him. Believe in Jesus, look to Him for life and purpose. He will satisfy your soul as food does your stomach.
He knows you have 'no life' in you because you have been fed with so much 'poison' in your mind and in your soul for so long without you even realizing it. Jesus Christ loves you and cares for you. But in order to have 'life', you must first eat of this Bread of Life.
Questions for Reflection:-
1. What are the things that we can 'work' on that will last for eternity?
2. What are the things that could 'poison' us if we do not eat the Bread of Life?
3. Discuss more ways we can 'feed' on Jesus each day.
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