In John 6:35, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not hunger. He who believes in me will never thirst.” He repeated that in verses 48 and 51. Jesus did not come into the world mainly to give bread, but to BE bread.
If we read John 6, we notice that “a great crowd of people followed Jesus because they saw the signs He had performed by healing the sick” [V 2]. Jesus fed the multitude with 2 small fish and 5 small barley bread rolls by multiplying them. Some of those in the crowd later tried following Jesus because He fed them, not because they wanted His redemption. Jesus told them in verse 26, “… truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.”
Yes, Jesus cares about your body, and that you have enough to eat, but He cares more about the condition of your soul and spirit. The multitude of people were focusing on the miracle of bread increasing, instead of focusing on the One who did the miracle, our Bread of life – Jesus Himself!
In verses 56 – 58, Jesus continued teaching the people and said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in Me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” Jesus did not mean that we must physically “eat” and “drink” Him, but spiritually we need to abide FULLY in Him and He in us – NO holding back anything! Whoever lives on Jesus and His Word, His life, His salvation, His forgiveness, His will, His love, His guidance only, will live eternally with Him in heaven one day.
Precious Living Bread of heaven, sweet Jesus, Thank You that You are the Bread of Life! Thank you that You desire us to ‘feed’ on You and not on the world. The world and its desires will disappoint us, but You are the answer to our needs, the life-giving bread and living water we hunger and thirst for. Please teach us how to forsake those things that are not worthy of gaining Eternity and help us to feast our eyes, hearts, souls and minds and spirits on You, our everlasting Father, King of kings!
Myrtle Turunen