The Bread of Heaven: A Bread Beyond Compare!
Journey Through the Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Today, we return to our Journey through the Gospel of John. We are in John 6. When we last considered this chapter, we discovered that it, like chapter 5, started with a great miracle. Chapter 5 began with Christ healing a man who lay beside the pool of Bethesda. Chapter 6 began with Christ miraculously feeding five thousand people with just a few loaves of bread and small fish. The bread is the focus of today’s message.
After Christ fed the five thousand, we know that He instructed his disciples to row to the other side of the sea. The disciples obeyed and departed. Christ, however, went up into the mountain to pray. During the night, the disciples ran into a bit of trouble. A great storm overtook them. For all their effort and expertise, they were not making any headway against the storm. About that time, Christ walked by as He walked upon the water like it was dry land. Christ rescued the disciples, and they reached shore safely.
In our last message, we learned that the following day, all those who were fed by the bread and fish came searching for Jesus. They discovered He and His disciples departed the night before and were now on the other side of the sea. They, in turn, hired boats and went after them. To their surprise, they found Jesus along with His disciples. They were surprised because they knew the disciples had departed in a boat without Jesus, but somehow, Jesus was there with them. Nothing made sense. How did Jesus get there? This was the exact question that they asked Jesus. Christ ignored their question and immediately noted the real reason they were there. These people who enjoyed the miracle of the fish and bread followed Jesus to get more food. They were not there for spiritual nourishment but only for physical enjoyment.
Today, we pick up our text with this question from the people following Jesus. We must note that this entire dialogue between Jesus and the Jewish people takes place in a synagogue. Note the last verse of this chapter.
59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
This dialogue continues to the end of the chapter. In the coming weeks, we’ll explore the entire conversation.
Here is their second question?
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Now remember that this question comes in response to Christ’s answer to their first question of how He managed to arrive in Capernaum.
26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Christ emphasizes working for everlasting food. Thus, in the minds of these people, Christ was offering them food that would physically satisfy them forever. Naturally, their response was to want that food, which resulted in them asking how they could work to get it.
Now, note Christ’s response.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Keep this answer in mind as we go into the message today. This is a key statement by Christ. The work of God is to believe on Christ.
Look now at how the people responded to this statement by Christ.
30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Here is where we get the title for today’s message. Note that they now ask for a sign.
Sinful and unbelieving people always want some outward and physical proof of things they cannot understand.
It was no different with these people. Additionally, the people wanted a sign and were still holding on to Old Testament miracles. All this talk of bread reminded them that their forefathers ate manna (bread) in the desert. We will talk more about manna through the rest of this chapter. However, I want you to focus on the phrase “bread from heaven.” This is an important phrase and one that we will see repeated often. That is our title - “The Bread of Heaven.” However, as we will see, the true Bread of Heaven is not the physical bread we eat; it is the Lord Jesus Christ, and He is bread beyond compare!
That is precisely what Christ tells them next.
32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
What was their response?
34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Christ goes on to explain.
35 And 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.
36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Here is what God wants us to know and understand today.
The Bread of Heaven is the...
Sole Supplier of Complete Satisfaction
Sole Supplier of Complete Satisfaction
It’s vital to establish who the true Bread of Heaven is. For the Jews, it was the manna given to Israel in their 40 years of wilderness wanderings. However, Christ emphatically stated...
35 And 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.
Note also His statement in verse 32.
32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
SIDE NOTE: Moses was not the true bread of Heaven or even the supplier of the true bread of Heaven. It was God Who provided the manna, not Moses. Thus, God supplied His Son as the true bread from Heaven.
How do we know that Jesus is the true bread of heaven?
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
The Bible clearly shows that God sent Jesus to save everyone. There are several verses to back this up, but let’s go with this verse.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Another great one is this.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
We are about to enter the Christmas season. That entire season is about God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. We celebrate His arrival as He was born of a virgin in a small town called Bethlehem. The Lord Jesus Christ is the true bread of heaven.
The Jews claimed manna as the true bread of heaven. But is it? The answer is this: It was bread from heaven, but its ability to do what Christ can do is vastly different. Those who ate manna lived and were provided physical nourishment. However, what eventually happened to those who ate the manna? They died, a fact that Christ will note later in this dialogue with these Jews.
In contrast, the true bread of heaven is the sole source or supply of complete satisfaction. Look again at verse 35.
35 And 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.
What does His statement mean that all who come to Him will never hunger or thirst again? Does that mean that those who believe will not need to eat physical food or ever need water to drink? Surely not. We all know that we need physical food and drink to survive. This has more to do with seeing Christ as the sole source of complete satisfaction.
Think about it this way. I am convinced that every person born into the world has a hunger and thirst for spiritual satisfaction. They know that something is missing in their life. As they grow older, they begin searching for that one thing they know is needed but can’t find. Some think more power or significant influence over others is the answer. Some seek riches and material possessions. Yet, others seek personal relationships. Unfortunately, they all soon find out that nothing satisfies them. A great example is the number of people who have achieved mass fortune and fame only to find themselves alone and depressed—nothing they found satisfying. However, on the other hand, some learned about the Bread of Heaven, Jesus Christ, and they believed. In that moment, mental, physical, and spiritual satisfaction filled their heart and life. They found the one thing that was missing. They found the bread that completely fulfilled and satisfied their soul. They discovered that a relationship with God was the thing they were missing.
This morning, I am here to tell you that Jesus Christ, the Bread of Heaven, is the sole supplier of such satisfaction. If you don’t have Christ, you are missing the most wonderful and satisfying bread you have tasted.
How, then, does one taste such completely satisfying, spiritual bread? I am glad you asked. It is pretty simple. You must believe it.
Belief is Essential for Complete Change
Belief is Essential for Complete Change
35 And 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.
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Verse 35 provides the answer. He that “cometh” and “believeth.” Both actions are very close, but there is shade of difference.
“Believe on” Christ is to receive God’s testimony concerning His Son and to rest on Him alone for salvation.
It means to simply take God’s Word at face value without questioning or reasoning. Remember these people were asking for a sign. Christ already performed great miracles such as healing the lame, curing incurable diseases with a touch, and even feeding all these people with a very small amount of bread and fish. Receiving the true bread of Heaven isn’t about signs and wonders. It is about simple faith.
“Coming to” Christ is the effect of believing. The person who truly believes will have the heart to follow Him. True belief always leads to action.
One of the great verses of the Bible which effectively explains believing and coming to Chris is Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
You see, faith or belief is the only way to God. Such faith wholeheartedly accepts that God is real. There is no need for signs, wonders, or proof. No, it is just a simple belief that God exists. Only the fool says in his heart that there is no God. Why are they fools? Because their unbelief keeps them from knowing and enjoying the satisfaction and fulfillment that only comes from God. When we believe in God, we trust that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. That is what God wants you to know this morning. He is real. He loves you. He sent His Son to die for you. His Son, Jesus Christ, the Bread of Heaven, paid the penalty for your sin and rose from the dead. He is the true Bread of Heaven.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
It is really that simple. The promises of God are sure. If you believe and come to Christ, He will change your life. You will find the missing piece that you have been looking for. You will find satisfaction beyond any food, drink, material possessions, or earthly relationships. It is His promise.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Not only is Christ the true Bread of Heaven and the sole supplier of complete satisfaction, but He also is the Provider of great blessings. You will receive eternal life and the promise of future bodily resurrection if you believe.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Oh, by the way, you will be forever His and He will never cast you out.
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
The world is constantly offering its version of satisfaction and fulfillment. Yet, as we all know, whatever the world offers only satisfies and fulfills us for a short amount of time. When it is done, we are left with the same empty filling. We are right back where we started. However, believing and tasting Jesus Christ, the true Bread of Heaven will never leave you unsatisfied. It is eternal. Yet, you must believe. No number of signs, wonders, or miracles will cause you to believe. It wasn’t for most who were with Jesus when He walked this earth. You are no different. It is not about the miracles we see but about believing with our hearts.
