Jesus is the Bread of Life

The World Cannot Satisfy

Jesus had just fed the 5,000 men and their families. They were going to try to make Him their king so He fled from the crowd and crossed the sea. They decided to follow Him to the other side of the sea. They wanted Jesus to continue to support them by filling their bellies.

They had missed the spiritual point of the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. The point of the miracle was that Jesus is the only one that can completely satisfy a person. The blessings of God without the relationship with God will never satisfy. If we look to the blessing for satisfaction, then we will always want more. This is evidenced by them following Jesus across the sea to get more food. It is only through relationship with Jesus that we find true satisfaction that does not keep us longing for more.

The people didn’t want Jesus, they wanted what Jesus could do for them.

Materialism today

John, Volumes 1 & 2 Food that Spoils

Materialism encroaches not merely on individuals, but also on churches. This is one reason why the medieval church went wrong, and it is happening again today. Recently, a megachurch in Texas drew crowds by raffling off a free house, apparently accepting that people will worship God only when he offers worldly goods. Even worse is the so-called prosperity gospel preached by many today, falsely teaching that God guarantees worldly riches to those who truly believe. One has to wonder, with all the worldly excitement drawing crowds to churches today, how many would come if Christianity were suddenly made illegal and they faced arrest. It is always when the worldly veneer is stripped away, and especially when there is a price to be paid, that we discover the true followers of Christ.

People love stuff. They believe that the more stuff you have, the happier you would be. This is a deception from Satan. He causes people to think that they have to have the next big thing in order to be happy. This is a lie. As a matter of fact if accumulation of wealth is your focus it will render you unfruitful in kingdom advancement. Jesus said:

22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Matt. 13:22

Why does the pursuit of wealth make a person unfruitful? Because it violates the very first commandment 3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.Ex. 20:3 When wealth becomes your god, then you prioritize your life to accommodate the acquisition of your god. The sad thing about this is the price that is paid for the acquisition of wealth is that they forfeit the very thing that they need to satisfy their soul. When a person tries to satisfy the soul with material goods it will never satisfy.

William Barclay says, referring to the wealth of the roman empire and their dissatisfaction with life: “There was a reason for all this, and the reason was a deep dissatisfaction with life, a hunger that nothing could satisfy. They would try anything for a new thrill, because they were both appallingly rich and appallingly hungry.”

Richard D. Phillips, John, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, 1st ed., vol. 1, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2014), 378.

Why is preaching on tithing such a sensitive subject? Because for many people money is very important to them. If they are not tithing and are told they should, then they get upset because they may have to give up something materially in order to tithe. Most people don’t want to have to do this.

How can you tell if your a materialist? This is an extreme example! What if someone offered you $10 million, but you could never read your Bible, pray, worship, or serve in a christian organization, or go to church. Would you take the $10 million? If the answer is yes, then you are probably a materialist.

Believe In Christ

Jesus explained that they should work for the food that endures to eternal life. He was telling them that they were trying to find satisfaction in life by only satisfying the flesh. They had no interest in satisfying their soul. As long as they had what they wanted to satisfy their flesh, then they didn’t need anything more. Unfortunately too many people live like this today. That is why many Americans have so much wealth and yet are so unhappy. This is what Jesus is teaching . Material wealth is not what satisfies your life. He said to work for the food that endures for eternal life. In essence, if you want satisfaction in life only the Son of God can give you this.

The people wanted to know what work they could do in order to get the food that leads to eternal life. This was a fallacy in their belief. They thought they could work and earn this bread. They wanted to make God a debtor. What I mean by this is that they wanted to be able to work for their salvation. They believed if they could just do something then God would owe them salvation. Unfortunately some people live their lives like that today. They believe if they are a good person and do the right thing then God has to let them go to heaven. The only problem with this philosophy is that it demands perfection. If you mess up one time, then you cannot get salvation. There is only one person who has done this. JESUS CHRIST!

This is why Jesus explains that their work is to believe in Him. What does this exactly mean? This means that we recognize that we are sinners and cannot get salvation by ourselves. We need a Savior. Jesus Christ is that savior. How do we know this? Because He fulfilled the perfect demand of the law. “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. Matt. 5:17

Jesus lived the perfect life that God demands. He fulfilled he law. But he did something amazing. Because He was perfect He could take our sin on Himself and satisfy the wrath of God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21 When did this happen? When He was crucified. On the cross He took our sins upon himself and declared “it is finished”

Jesus did not stay dead, but on the third day he rose from the dead bodily and appeared to over 500 people and ascended into heaven. One day He will return and receive His church to himself.

To believe in Jesus means that His life, death, and resurrection is personal to you. That you have faith in the adequacy of the sacrifice of Jesus. That you receive His forgiveness of your sins. You submit your life to him through repentance and following Him.

When you do this you receive the bread of life!

Jesus is the Bread of Life

Jesus makes three promises for those who come to Him and receive

Promise # 1

he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. John 6:35

Jesus promises complete satisfaction. You will not hunger or thirst. Is Jesus saying that He will always provide you food and drink? No! What He is saying is that you will discover that Jesus is what you need to satisfy your life, not the worlds goods. Will Jesus provide what you need? yes!

31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But [s]seek first [t]His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be [u]added to you. Matt. 6:31-33

Promise # 2

37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. John 6:37

Jesus will never turn anyone away. It doesn’t matter how terrible your sin or mistakes are, you will always find enough mercy and grace to cover and defeat your sin. Jesus said he will not cast out anyone who comes to Him.

Promise # 3

This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:39-40

Jesus promises to give everyone who comes to Him eternal life. This means that they will not be separated from God in the lake of fire for all eternity. This more importantly means that they will spend eternity in heaven with God!