I AM: Bread

Where We Have Been

Series: I Am: Bread Big Idea: Only Jesus is the one who can satisfy the desires of your soul.

Well, well, well — we get to start a new series today! But before I jump into that, let’s take a moment to look back at what we’ve learned from the past two series.

We started with the Belong series. We got to see how some of the characters in the Bible belonged — and then, in our next series, we learned what those people actually belonged to.

They belonged to the community or Kingdom of God. We saw how the early church in Acts was devoted, bold, generous, and sent out, and we learned that through Jesus, we belong to the same calling.

Now, as I said, we’re kicking off a new series that will take us all the way to the Super Bowl in February — the I Am series in the book of John.

Opening Story

How many of you have ever finished eating and immediately said, “I could go for another round”? (I’m looking at you, middle school guys… and high school guys too!)

Or maybe you’re the kind of person who says, “Where’s the custard?” because if you’re like me — I ate (and still eat) a lot of food.

When I was in high school, during my junior year, I could not get full. I’d make a massive bowl of rice and chicken — I mean huge — and you might think, “If I ate that much, I’d be full for a week!” But that wasn’t me. I’d head straight to the pantry, find a bag of chips, and if it was already a quarter gone, I’d take it upon myself to finish it off.

Then, I’d start craving something sweet. So I’d fill the blender halfway with ice cream, pour in some milk, toss in a few scoops of protein, and—by that point—start feeling full. But of course, I’d still grab whatever loose candy I could find.

Now, at that rate, I shouldn’t have been hungry for the next year… but sure enough, I’d wake up the next morning hungry again.

That’s the funny thing about the food we eat here on earth — it can’t satisfy our hunger forever. It might fill us for a meal, but tomorrow, we’ll be hungry again.

Jesus’ Moment

Jesus actually had a moment where people were satisfied from hunger — and many of you know this story well.

Jesus was on a mountainside, teaching a large crowd. The people were getting hungry, and there was a boy who had five loaves and two fish. Jesus took them, multiplied them, and fed the entire crowd.

It was truly a miracle! But that’s not what we’re focusing on today. If you’d like to read it, that story is at the beginning of John 6 — I encourage you to do that.

Later in the chapter, we see something else happen.

Afterward, Jesus and His disciples went over to Capernaum — and they went there in style. Jesus calmed a storm and even walked on water. I’m telling you, you should read this book — it’s incredible!

Meanwhile, the people who had been fed realized Jesus and His disciples had left, so they got in their boats and went looking for Him.

And honestly, I don’t blame them. In that time, people didn’t have grocery stores on every corner like we do today. Food wasn’t easily accessible. If you were unprepared or didn’t have money, you could be in a tough spot.

So, if someone came along and multiplied one family’s meal into enough to feed thousands, you’d want to follow Him too!

But Jesus, seeing their hearts, cuts right to the chase.

John 6:26 (ESV)

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.”

At this moment, Jesus introduces another kind of food — something similar to the “living water” He offered the woman at the well.

If you don’t know that story, Jesus meets a woman, reveals that He knows her life, and offers her everlasting water so that she would never thirst again. That story might’ve even been known to these people — but they didn’t yet understand it.

So Jesus says:

John 6:27 (ESV)

“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

Naturally, the people ask, “Uh… how do we do that?”

And Jesus answers right away:

John 6:29 (ESV)

“This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

Now, what’s interesting is that these people had witnessed Jesus’ miracles — yet their response is still surprising. They cling to what they know from the past and bring up an event from Exodus.

When the Israelites were in the wilderness without food, God made a way to meet their needs — and even gave them rest in the process.

Exodus 16:4–5 (ESV)

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”

This is the story the people reference when questioning Jesus. It’s important for us to know these stories, too — because Jesus knew them deeply.

God provided for the Israelites’ needs and tested their faith.

Now, it might sound strange to hear the word test. I used to hate tests — I’m still terrible at them — but here, this is a good test.

The word “test” here means to examine. Think of it like this: if a king was looking for a successor, he might test them to see if they were ready.

God was examining whether His people trusted Him to protect and provide for them. The difference between a good test and a bad test lies in the intention of the one giving it.

When God tests us, it’s not because He hopes we’ll fail — it’s because He loves us. He wants us to trust Him, to rest in His protection rather than our own strength.

By contrast, the enemy tests Adam and Eve in the garden — not out of love, but with the intention of seeing them fail.

That’s the story these people are recalling — and Jesus uses it to reveal who He really is.

I Am the Bread of Life

The people begin to desire this “bread” and ask Jesus to give it to them.

Here’s His response:

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.”

This is the first time we see Jesus say “I Am” in reference to who He is.

“I Am” is a powerful name — it’s the very name God gave to Moses. So when Jesus uses it here (and in the weeks to come), He’s not just making a metaphor. He’s declaring that He is God — the same God who gave the manna in the wilderness.

Jesus isn’t just saying He’s “the bread of life.” He’s saying He’s the source of life itself. He is the one who satisfies.

Through believing in Him, our needs are met. Jesus fills the void.

And if you haven’t already picked up on it — Jesus isn’t talking about Panera bread or some fancy rye loaf. He’s talking about the salvation that comes through His death and resurrection.

We see this imagery again later, during the Last Supper, when Jesus breaks the bread and says it represents His body — broken for us.

Through His sacrifice, we are no longer hungry.

What Are You Trying to Satisfy With?

So, what “earthly bread” are you using to try to fill the void in your life?

Where are you still hungry?

Maybe you feel like the only way you’ll be satisfied is by getting the right grades. Maybe, like me, you think, “If I’m good at this sport, then I’ll finally feel fulfilled.” Maybe you feel like you’ll only be satisfied if someone finds you attractive or chooses you.

I don’t know what it is for you — but I do know this:

If you’re trying to satisfy your soul with anything other than Jesus, it will not work.

He is the only Bread of Life.