I Am the Bread of Life

Read |John 6|

Jesus is a master teacher. He sees His pupils perfectly - assessing their present levels of need and developing learning experiences to help them step into deeper revelation of Him. And Oh, how patient He is! In full knowledge and yet not frustrated at our growing up. Several points in Scripture bear this point true. But, this week we'll look at an object lesson that begun in the wilderness, where God caressed blades of grass with wafers from heaven to satisfy the hunger of His people, and reaches its climax when the Teacher makes the declaration: I am the bread of life. (Exodus 16 and John 6).

In John 6, we meet the crowd, Jesus and His disciples. The crowd is hungry. They haven't said so. But, Jesus knows. He looks to Philip and says, "Where will we buy bread so that these people can eat?" (John 6:5). Philip seems perplexed by the question: "Two hundred denarii worth of bread wouldn't be enough for each of them to have a little." (John 6:7). 

As Philip ponders the impossible situation before him, Andrew makes an offering. It seems insignificant. A naive contribution: five barley loaves and two fish. (John 6:8). But, Jesus does not despise them. They are perfect for His object lesson. He asks that the people be seated. He then takes the offering, blesses and gives it. All are fed and there are leftovers-enough to fill 12 baskets. (John 6:13). 

The lesson concludes and the question most essential rises in the chests of those present: Who is this Jesus? A prophet, they conclude. (John 6:14). They have been in school for over 30 generations. Their fore-parents having eaten manna and still died in the Wilderness (John 6:31-32 & 49). Yet, they miss the significance of the sign. 

Bread feeds. Bread satisfies. But, bread perishes. Bread cannot satisfy the eternal and this is the hunger Jesus knew they had. As offspring of the first Adam, they had been born hungry. Soul hungry. (Romans 5:12).

Jesus wanted them to know they no longer had to hunger because He was the true bread from heaven. He was the Father's gift. He, the seemingly "ordinary" man born of the Virgin Mary and the son of a carpenter, Joseph, had His true "start" in the Father. He was the good thing blessed, to be broken and given for the life of humankind. If they would feast on Him they would never hunger again. They would have true undying life. (John 6:48 - 51 and 54 - 58).

The table is still before humankind. It is still set. It is overflowing in the good and perfect offering of Jesus-His life. And those who will come and eat, to them will be given true life. Come to the table and feast.

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Go Deeper

As Be-Held Women we believe that true self-care is accomplished in a lifestyle of intimacy with Jesus Christ. We take care by drawing near to God: seeking and living the truth of God’s Word, by the power of His Spirit dwelling within us, confident that in living the truth by Holy Spirit reliance we will be transformed into women who so clearly bear the image of Jesus Christ in spirit, soul and body that we will come to bless many.  Dear Be-Held Woman, seeking, living and being transformed by the truth, we offer you this Bible study guide to support you in your endeavors! Apply it to this week's Scripture reading.

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Join us at the Be-Held Book Community as we dive into Blessed Broken Given: How Your Story Becomes Sacred in the Hands of Jesus by Glenn Packiam for the month of October!