December 6 - Bread of Life

December 6 - Bread of Life (6:32-58)

The Jews were just speaking with Jesus about the Manna from heaven that came down for the Israelites during the Exodus.  Jesus says, “…it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.”

Just like Nicodemus misunderstood the spiritual aspects of being born again and the Samaritan woman at the well asked for water that would forever quench her physical thirst, the Jews asked for him to give them bread that comes from God. 

Jesus is waiting for them to fully understand who He is.  He declares, “I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry.”

This didn’t help His status among the Jews.  They were quite concerned with the fact that He told them He was from heaven when they knew full well that He was just the son of Joseph – in fact, many of them know his father and mother. (John 6:42)

Then comes the statement that gets everyone all freaked out.  Jesus says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”  This sounds like there are those who the Father doesn’t draw … but, we have to keep reading.  “Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.”  (John 6:44-45)

These verses are simply amazing to me.  Jesus wants the Jews to understand the power of His ministry on earth.  The one thing that the Jews know quite well from their history is the story of the Exodus and the glorious gift of manna that was sent down to keep them alive on their journey.  This story is what Jesus needs to transform for them.

That bread that gave them life during the Exodus is an important story.  Jesus, however, wants them to know that manna was not as important as He is.  He is the true bread of life.  Their forefathers ate manna and died (6:49), but eating the true bread of life … believing in Him … will bring everlasting life.

God is a living God … Jesus is the representation of that living God on earth. 

Manna could only remain fresh for a day- then it withered up and died until a fresh batch was given from heaven.  Jesus remains alive.  As the true bread of life from heaven … he offers life forever.