John 6:22-7:1
John - Jesus and the Bread of Life
John 6:22-7:1
John 6:35
“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
In this week’s message we unpack the first of seven I AM statements that Jesus makes about Himself. In this one, which you can find in John 6:35, Jesus declares Himself to be the Bread of Life. This is an explanation of the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 that we looked at last week in the beginning of John 6.
When Jesus describes Himself as the Bread of Life, he’s making two very clear connections. The first is that the feeding of the 5,000 is not just about the miraculous act, but about the one who performs it. Remember, in this sermon series we’ve been really pressing into the idea that miracles are signs that don’t point to themselves but are meant to point us to Jesus. The Jews got caught up in the idea that Jesus provided food for them once, and therefore He could be relied on to keep giving them food on demand. While we do experience (and should expect) miraculous provision from God, we must never forget that signs and wonders should always lead us directly to Jesus Himself. Jesus does not allow us to make Him a foodbank or jukebox, but as a God to be worshiped.
The second connection He makes is between the provision of manna in the wilderness (a story the Jews would have been very familiar with), and Himself as the second, better Moses, who gives sustenance that does not fade or spoil but ensures eternal satisfaction.
In this Jesus is declaring that He wants to be our daily provision. I made the point in my message that God doesn’t want our experience of Him to be a high point which we remember looking back but rarely experience afresh, but instead to be a daily encounter with Him. God wants us to come to Him daily, not just to ask for our daily provision, but to spend time with Him letting Him nourish us and make us more and more like Him.
To ram this point home, Jesus insisted to the Jews that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood. He’s referring to communion of course, but in doing so He’s also reminding us that provision is borne from relationship. We need to get our relationship with Him right in order to experience the fullness of what God has in store for us.
What do you need today? I am sure you need many things, whether your needs are financial, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Jesus knows what you need. But His call to us is in Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Some of the Jews didn’t want to accept this. They just wanted their needs met, and when they realised Jesus wasn’t going to be obedient to their desires, they left. Let’s not be like them, but instead let’s recognise what Simon Peter did in v68-69: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
When Jesus describes Himself as the Bread of Life, he’s making two very clear connections. The first is that the feeding of the 5,000 is not just about the miraculous act, but about the one who performs it. Remember, in this sermon series we’ve been really pressing into the idea that miracles are signs that don’t point to themselves but are meant to point us to Jesus. The Jews got caught up in the idea that Jesus provided food for them once, and therefore He could be relied on to keep giving them food on demand. While we do experience (and should expect) miraculous provision from God, we must never forget that signs and wonders should always lead us directly to Jesus Himself. Jesus does not allow us to make Him a foodbank or jukebox, but as a God to be worshiped.
The second connection He makes is between the provision of manna in the wilderness (a story the Jews would have been very familiar with), and Himself as the second, better Moses, who gives sustenance that does not fade or spoil but ensures eternal satisfaction.
In this Jesus is declaring that He wants to be our daily provision. I made the point in my message that God doesn’t want our experience of Him to be a high point which we remember looking back but rarely experience afresh, but instead to be a daily encounter with Him. God wants us to come to Him daily, not just to ask for our daily provision, but to spend time with Him letting Him nourish us and make us more and more like Him.
To ram this point home, Jesus insisted to the Jews that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood. He’s referring to communion of course, but in doing so He’s also reminding us that provision is borne from relationship. We need to get our relationship with Him right in order to experience the fullness of what God has in store for us.
What do you need today? I am sure you need many things, whether your needs are financial, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Jesus knows what you need. But His call to us is in Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Some of the Jews didn’t want to accept this. They just wanted their needs met, and when they realised Jesus wasn’t going to be obedient to their desires, they left. Let’s not be like them, but instead let’s recognise what Simon Peter did in v68-69: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Apply
- One way to meditate on this would be to read slowly through the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Ask God for fresh provision, and make sure to reflect on what He wants for us, not just what we think we need for ourselves.
- What might God be wanting to bring in to your life that is new, and fresh, and unlike what you have previously experienced?
- One of the reasons God provides for us, is so that we can be a blessing to those around us as well. Who might God be wanting to you to bless this week, out of the abundance He has already given you?
- Enjoy communion at some point this week, and as you do, reflect on the bread of life who was broken for you, and the blood shed for you.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank you that you love to provide for your people, often in abundant and unexpected ways. Search my heart and help me to always acknowledge and worship the giver of the gifts, as well as delighting in your blessings.
Show me how I too can be a blessing to those around me who need to know more about your great love for them.
Help me to become more and more like you.
Amen.
Thank you that you love to provide for your people, often in abundant and unexpected ways. Search my heart and help me to always acknowledge and worship the giver of the gifts, as well as delighting in your blessings.
Show me how I too can be a blessing to those around me who need to know more about your great love for them.
Help me to become more and more like you.
Amen.
This Everyday Devotions was written by Sean Hammond, who is an elder in our Wimbledon Venue.
If you would like to listen to the whole of this week’s sermon on John 6:22-7:1 why not download the Everyday Church App or visit our website, YouTube Channel and at our Online Church Services.
This Everyday Devotions has also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube Channel.
Follow our Everyday Devotions Playlist for some songs to help you worship God in Spirit and truth this week.
If you would like to listen to the whole of this week’s sermon on John 6:22-7:1 why not download the Everyday Church App or visit our website, YouTube Channel and at our Online Church Services.
This Everyday Devotions has also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube Channel.
Follow our Everyday Devotions Playlist for some songs to help you worship God in Spirit and truth this week.