Our scripture this morning is John 6:33-35 (NLT).
“The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.” Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
There is much for us to learn in this passage. It follows John’s account of feeding the 5000, the only miracle of Jesus recorded in all four of the Gospels (Matthew 14:13–21, Mark 6:31–44, Luke 9:12–17, John 6:1–14). It also contains the first of seven “I am” statements by Jesus in this Gospel: bread of life (6:35), the light of the world (8:12), the door (10:7), the good shepherd (10:11, 14), the resurrection and the life (11:25), the way, the truth and the life (14:6) and the true vine (15:1).
Jesus feeding the people physically and then teaching them the spiritual connection is essential here. In Exodus 16 God provided manna in the wilderness to meet their physical needs, and led them by His Spirit. Jesus says God has sent Him as the bread of life to feed our spirits eternally.
In Exodus 3:14, God called Himself “I AM”. The faithful would recognize the connection between that scripture and the I am statements of Jesus. We can see Jesus as the “new manna”, God’s eternal provision for those who come to Him in repentance.
Loving Lord, we come to You in our brokenness seeking Your sustenance and care. Forgive us and bless us to share that sustenance and care with all our brothers and sisters. Amen.
