Bread From Heaven
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John 6:25-34
25. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26. Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal." 28. Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" 29. Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." 30. So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you perform? 31. Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32. Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world." 34. They said to him, "Lord, give us this bread always."
The “they” referred to in verse 25 is some of “the crowd” of 5000 who had just been fed on the mountainside. They sought Jesus out when he had “disappeared” after performing that miracle and they wanted more of what he offered! Jesus indicates to them that they seek him not because of his miracles, but because the “bread” he offered them – spiritual bread – satisfied them in a way they had not experienced before.
Jesus does that for us, too. Belief in Him affords us not only eternal life when we die, but eternal life now—here, today. In light of that gift, we are compelled to live “like we’re saved.” I’ve made that statement before. And I will certainly make it again—more as a reminder to myself than as a chastisement to anyone else! Manna in the desert sustained the Israelites for 40 years – in that day and time, it was probably about a lifetime for most of the people-an entire generation. Jesus declares that the bread he offers (His body) will sustain us through eternity.
Jesus tells us not to labor for earthly rewards—wealth, fame, power, material comforts—but rather to expend our time and energy investing in our relationship with the risen Lord. And to seek a deeper, stronger understanding and belief in Him and His father. Invest in eternity—and share that “investment strategy” with others. Spread the Good News!
Some in the crowd ask Jesus what they must do to be doing the works of God. They are still living by Mosaic law—that salvation is earned by good works. Jesus tells that that all that is required for salvation—now that He’s on the scene—is belief in Him and His message. His message? God’s grace equals eternal life for all who accept and believe.
Wow! Try putting that message in a 30-second commercial! JESUS SAVES. GOD’S GRACE IS FREE. Imagine the traffic jam on the interstate if a billboard read: ETERNAL LIFE: JUST ASK. Jesus fulfilled the predictions of the prophets. He satisfies our deep desire to be loved and accepted and saved. Faith in Him is all that is required to live forever in heaven. It sounds so easy doesn’t it?!
I hope you spend today pointing others to the path to eternal life in heaven.
Mary
