Gospel

Bread of Life Part 1

by Roland Crim
11/05/16
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Jesus answered, “Very 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. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” John 6:26-31 NIV

Jesus’ discourse on Himself as the Bread of Life is so deep and rich in meaning. I would therefore like to take several days of commentary to discuss the remaining part of John 6.

Jesus was so adept at leading a discussion to matters of paramount importance. He taught and coinues to teach that which the Father desires mankind to know.

He begins here by letting those who had found Him know that He realized that they had not searched for Him because of the wonderful works He had done, but because they had had their full of earthly food, food that is not eternal. Do we at times today seek from Jesus things of this earth rather than eternal treasures? When we ask of Jesus we must seek that which glorifies the Father and the Son.

Jesus tells us to seek eternal nourishment, nourishment that He will provide to us. Without Jesus we would be eternally lost, slaves to the desires of this world, desires that will not be able to follow with us when our souls leave this world. We are so blessed that Jesus would offer eternal nourishment to us. We certainly have done nothing to deserve this eternal nourishment. We are offered it because our Lord is so loving and merciful!

When the people asked Jesus what they must do to please the Father through action, Jesus told them to believe in the One whom the Father had sent. Unfortunately their response was not the proper one. They wanted a sign from Jesus. Is not belief based on faith? Is not belief accepting what we have not necessarily seen? Anyway, had not Jesus already performed signs for their viewing? He had fed over 5000 with only five small loaves and two fish, and there were twelve baskets of left overs. If that is not a sign, then what would be a sign? Are we not today also blind at times to signs of God? If something is not what we seek do we just look right past it without realizing the blessing and sign that it is from our creator?

Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus, please help us with our finite faith. Help us to keep our hearts, minds, and souls ever attentive to all that you do for us and provide for us. Without you we are truly dust and have no real life. Help us to always seek glory for you and may we always praise you! AMEN!!