John, the beloved apostle wrote, by inspiration, to set forth the solid case proving the Deity and Sonship of Jesus Christ (cf. John 20:30-31). Believing in Who Jesus really is and Who He claimed to be is foundational for salvation and life in Him (John 8:24). While John was guided by the Holy Spirit to write his inspired account of the Gospel (2 Peter 1:20-21), he recorded seven statements by Jesus, the first of which we will consider in this article, which certainly points to His divinity and deity.
The day after (cf. John 6:22) Jesus miraculously fed the multitude with five barley loaves and two small fishes (cf. John 6:9ff), the intrigued group sought Jesus all the more. Now these seekers were not sincerely groping for Christ because of Who He was, but rather they were longing for the physical bread that filled their bellies (cf. John 6:26). Jesus continues by exhorting these would-be disciples to toil for spiritual food that only Christ can give (cf. John 6:27ff). The multitude then asks for a sign, while referring to the manna that their fathers were given in the wilderness so many centuries before (cf. John 6:30-31). This multitude obviously had physical bread in mind while Jesus was speaking of the spiritual bread of heaven (cf. John 6:32-34). The point is made crystal clear when “Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). What an awesome, overwhelming affirmation as to Whom Jesus really is.
First, the bread of life is PLEASING.When we truly come to Jesus, He satisfies and pleases our spiritual hunger. While mankind constantly tries prosperity, prestige and pleasure as would-be sources for satisfaction and fulfillment, spiritual hunger can only be satisfied by Jesus and His Word (cf. Matthew 4:4)! Certainly the Patriarch of old knew this, “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). Is there any wonder why Jesus would say, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Jesus, the Bread of life, exclusively pleases the spiritual hunger of mankind.
Secondly, the bread of life is PERMANENT. Until one’s spiritual hunger is fulfilled by Jesus, he can never be truly content in life (cf. Ecclesiastes1:2, 14; 2:11; et al). The manna that came down from heaven in the Old Testament was temporary and only lasted a relatively short amount of time. However, in contrast, when we consume Jesus, our hunger is fulfilled and satisfied permanently; note, “…he that cometh to me shall never hunger…”
Sadly, many never enjoy the pleasing and permanent Bread of life, because they are too busy “piecing” at other things. We often go about day-by-day trying to satisfy the void within our souls with worldly crumbs, while the Bread of Life is waiting to fulfill and nourish the souls of honest and true seekers (cf. Revelation 3:20). Dear Friend, seek Him, find Him and consume Him, and you too will be permanently pleased, for truly Jesus is “The Bread of Life!”
