Savoring Eternal Satifaction in Christ

Savoring Eternal Satisfaction in Christ

John 6:35–51 ESV

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” 41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Main Idea/ DT: Embracing Jesus as Savior and Lord leads to a life of profound and enduring fulfillment.

Introduction:

This gospel account is rich with spiritual depth and transformative truths, offering us a glimpse into the heart of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

John 6:35-51 unveils a poignant dialogue between Jesus and the crowd, where He declares Himself as the Bread of Life. But to fully grasp the significance of these words, let's take a moment to understand the context in which they were spoken.

The chapter opens with Jesus miraculously feeding the five thousand, a powerful demonstration of His compassion and divine authority. The crowd, stirred by this miraculous provision, seeks Jesus, not merely for physical bread, but for the deeper nourishment of their souls.

It's against this backdrop of hunger—both physical and spiritual—that Jesus proclaims Himself as the Bread of Life. In a world longing for fulfillment and purpose, Jesus offers Himself as the ultimate source of satisfaction.

So, dear friends, with hearts open and spirits attentive, let's journey into the depths of John 6:35-51 and discover the eternal fulfillment found in Christ.

Embrace Jesus for Eternal and Spiritual Fulfillment

John 6:35 ESV

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Our passage begins with Jesus proclaiming, "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).

- Jesus offers more than fleeting satisfaction; He provides eternal nourishment for our souls.

- Personally, when I embraced Jesus, I found a fulfillment that transcends material desires. He filled the void in my heart with His love and purpose.

- This echoes the provision of manna in Exodus 16, where God sustained the Israelites in the wilderness, foreshadowing Jesus as the ultimate source of spiritual nourishment.

Discover Jesus as the Ultimate Answer

John 6:38 ESV

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

Transitioning to verse 38, Jesus reveals His divine mission, stating, "I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."

- Jesus is the ultimate answer to humanity's deepest longings, descending from heaven to fulfill God's redemptive plan.

- Just as the manna provided physical sustenance for the Israelites, Jesus offers Himself as the true Bread of Life, satisfying our spiritual hunger in ways nothing else can.

- Reflecting on Jesus' mission unveils His identity as the sent one from heaven, fulfilling the prophetic significance of the manna.

Recognize Jesus' Sovereignty and Authority

- Concluding with Jesus' assertion of divine authority, we see in verse 40: "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."

- Jesus not only offers eternal satisfaction but also possesses the authority to grant eternal life to all who believe in Him.

- This declaration underscores Jesus' sovereignty and role as the ultimate source of hope and salvation.

- Let's reflect on Jesus' authority in our lives and commit to following Him wholeheartedly, finding fulfillment and purpose in His eternal promises.

Conclusion:

As we conclude, let us fix our gaze upon the cross of Christ, where the ultimate expression of His fulfillment as the Bread of Life is revealed. Upon that rugged cross, Jesus bore the weight of our sins, enduring unimaginable suffering to reconcile us to God. He willingly laid down His life, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our salvation.

But the story does not end there. On the third day, the stone was rolled away, and Jesus emerged from the tomb victorious over sin and death. His resurrection powerfully declares His triumph over every obstacle, including our deepest longings and insecurities.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers us eternal life and ultimate satisfaction. He invites us to partake of Him fully, to find nourishment for our souls in His presence, and to experience the depths of His love and grace.

As we savor the richness of His sacrifice and resurrection, may we respond with hearts overflowing with gratitude and praise. Let us embrace Jesus as the Bread of Life, the source of true and lasting fulfillment. And as we journey forward, may His Spirit empower us to live lives that reflect His love and bring glory to His name.

May we never forget the cross, where Jesus paid the price for our sins, and may we always rejoice in the empty tomb, where He secured our victory over sin and death. Let's pray for a deepening of our relationship with Jesus, the ultimate source of true and lasting satisfaction. Amen.