READ: John 6:16-36: … For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world…
The disciples find themselves in a storm. But Jesus, who comes to them walking on the sea, calms the storm. Through this, He shows His divine power. At first, they are terrified when they see Him walking, but He reassures them.
Meanwhile, the crowd travels to Capernaum and finds Jesus. He tells them that He knows their hearts: “You seek Me because you ate of the loaves.” They still want more signs from Jesus. They do not come because of the meaning behind the miracle that showed He is the Christ who can give them the true bread for true life.
The people are focused only on the spectacular and the fact that they had plenty to eat. They remain stuck on a human level, without faith. But Jesus wants to lead them further. He teaches them about who He is, based on the miracle they witnessed. He gives them food for thought by contrasting the earthly food that perishes with the heavenly food that endures to eternal life (v.27). He, as the Son of Man, can give that heavenly bread because the Father has sealed Him—openly confirmed Him at His baptism in the Jordan (v.27, see also 1:32,34).
The people do not understand; they want to be satisfied with earthly things. When they ask what work they must do to receive divine food, Jesus points them not to works but to faith—faith in Him whom God has sent (v.29).
Then they compare Him to Moses who gave manna. If Jesus would do the same, then maybe they would accept Him as the Christ. But Jesus corrects them: It was not Moses who gave the manna, but My Father. And now He gives the true bread from heaven: “I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to Me shall never hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst” (v.35).
No, it’s not about seeing manna—it’s about believing in Him. That brings far more than manna: eternal life without hunger or thirst.
Jesus is disappointed: You have seen Me, and yet you do not believe!
Do you understand why Jesus calls Himself the Bread?
Sing: Ps. 146:4
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