Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 16-18 and John 6
The sixth chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Bible contains several important messages. One of the central themes is the concept of Jesus as the “Bread of Life.”
This chapter recounts the story of Jesus miraculously feeding a large crowd, some scholars think over 15,000 which included men, women, and children, with five loaves of bread and two fish. Afterward, Jesus teaches that he is the true sustenance for spiritual life, emphasizing the importance of faith in him for eternal life.
Here are some key messages from John 6:
The Bread of Life: Jesus uses the feeding of the crowd as a metaphor to teach that he is the true nourishment for the soul. Just as physical bread sustains physical life, Jesus provides spiritual sustenance for eternal life.
Faith in Jesus: Jesus emphasizes the necessity of believing in him for eternal life. He says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35, NIV).
Eternal Life through Jesus: Jesus promises that those who believe in him will have eternal life. He says, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day” (John 6:40, NIV).
The Role of the Father: Jesus emphasizes that his mission and purpose are in alignment with the will of the Father. He states that he has been sent by the Father to accomplish specific tasks.
The Resurrection and the Last Day: Jesus speaks of the future resurrection of believers, assuring them that they will be raised up on the last day.
The Importance of Spiritual Understanding: Jesus challenges his followers to seek spiritual understanding beyond physical signs and miracles. He encourages them to focus on the deeper spiritual truths he is teaching.
Division and Rejection: The chapter also highlights how some of Jesus’ followers struggled with his teachings, leading to division and, for some, a decision to stop following him.
Overall, John 6 emphasizes the significance of faith in Jesus as the means to obtain eternal life and underscores the idea that Jesus provides spiritual nourishment and fulfillment in a way that nothing else can. This chapter also foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, which would become the ultimate demonstration of his role as the Bread of Life.
This is a key chapter where Jesus started to see many of His followers doubt Him. They could not reconcile Jesus’ reference to “the flesh as food” and “blood as drink.” The extended crowds and disciples that chose to follow Him, due to the many miracles and acts Jesus had performed, left Jesus. They heard Jesus’ message in the literal sense rather than as a parable.
Jesus very clearly started to see at that point, it was the beginning of strife and ultimately the divisiveness amongst the Jewish people that would ultimately cost Him his life.
