Bread that Satisfies part 2

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This is a message continued from last week dealing with John 6:28-35.

Bread that Satisfies – Part 2

John 6:25-35

Introduction:

Last Sunday we started with this passage, but we didn’t have the time to finish.

I mentioned that there were 3 questions that the people asked Jesus, along with His response to each one.

In my previous message we talked about the first question: (v. 25) “When did you come here?”

We talked about the fact that Jesus didn’t even try to answer their question directly, but instead, went right to the heart of their motives for searching for Him.

Jesus was doing what He does best – focusing like a laser on the very heart of our problem; exposing our inner thoughts and motives.

(Just like he did with the Samaritan woman at the well when He said to her, “Go call your husband.”)

In this case, He exposed the fact that these people were seeking Him only because He had satisfied an immediate fleshly desire by giving them something to eat.

They weren’t seeking Him because the miracle had convinced them He must be the divine Son of God or because the miracle had confirmed that He was on a special mission for God.

No, they apparently just wanted Him to do something else to make them feel good.

Question # 2: “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” (v.28)

In all probability this was a follow-up question to part of the response Jesus had given to the first question when He said to them, “Labor not for the food that perishes, but labor for the food that endures to everlasting life.”

The word “labor” in v. 27 is the same Greek word as the word that is translated “work” in v. 28.

As soon as Jesus says, “Work for the food that endures…” They’re probably thinking about the Jewish emphasis on doing works of righteousness (Bible Background Commentary) or possibly some of the Pharisaic rules prevalent in their religious culture (A.T. Robertson).

Some suggest that they may be asking, “What more can we do than those works we do in obedience to the Law of Moses?” (See Mathew Henry’s Commentary)

It may be a sincere question … What work does God require? What work does God approve?

Matthew Henry thinks they may be affirming their willingness to do anything, whether something great or something important to please God.

It’s possible that their question reveals an enthusiasm that is often seen in people after they hear a great motivating speech or message.

“What can I do next?” “How can I get involved?” “Sign me up!”

Answer to the Question:

Jesus replies that the only “work” God requires is believing in Him that God has sent.

(Robertson)The tense of the verb here indicates continually believing, i.e. “Keep on believing in Him that God sent.”

(M. Henry)They ask about works, in the plural, but Jesus directs them to a singular work – faith.

We are reminded in Scripture by various writers (e.g. Paul, James) that works will naturally follow faith, but faith is the absolute crucial factor.

Dear friends, the Bible is full of instructions and guidance for us on how we are to live the Christian life and live out the life of faith.

Jesus repeatedly told His followers to obey His commands.

But, first and foremost we must settle the issue in our hearts, once and for all, who Jesus really is, and can we trust Him?

This is the core issue to finding the true “bread or food that endures to everlasting life.”

The first and primary “work” that God requires of all people is that we believe and keep on believing in the One God has sent into the world to save us.

Everything else naturally follows from that one “work.”

Can you really believe in Jesus today?

Can you really trust Him?

Do you absolutely depend on Him to provide your access to God and your hope for a home in heaven?

Are you living every day in a way that demonstrates that you trust Jesus?

I think these questions really help us to get to the heart of what Jesus was saying to these people in Capernaum.

Question # 3 “What sign will you provide so we can see it and believe You? What work will you do?” (v. 30)

After Jesus provides His answer to their second question they follow-up with a third question that continues to play on the word “work.”

“What sign will you give?” What work will you do?”

They go on to reference the “miracle” that Moses did in the desert – feeding the children of Israel “bread from heaven.” (v. 31)

They either totally missed the significance of the miracle they had just witnessed the day before, or they categorized it as something less than what Moses did, so now they want to see something as great as or greater than Moses.

(Adam Clarke's Commentary) Their argument seems to run thus: [Jesus, you] have… fed five thousand men with five loaves and two small fishes; but what is this in comparison of what Moses did in the desert, who for forty years fed more than a million [people] with bread from heaven: do something like this, and then we will believe in [you], as we have believed in Moses.

(The Bible Knowledge Commentary) They reasoned, "If You are [greater] than Moses, [can you] do more than Moses[?]"

 (Believer's Bible Commentary) Like most unbelievers, they wanted to see first, and then they would believe… But this is not God's order. (Cf.) John 11:40 (NKJV) Jesus said to [Martha], "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"

Answer to Question # 3

In response to their question and their comparison to Moses, Jesus gave them a lesson about the true bread that satisfies.

First of all, Jesus corrects their claim that Moses was the one who gave them the bread in the desert.

The bread (manna) was provided by God in heaven. Moses was just a servant of God.

Secondly, He distinguishes between “manna” (bread for physical food) and “true bread” (spiritual food) that gives life to the world.

From our perspective, i.e. reading what we know back into the story, it is easy for us to see that Jesus is talking about Himself.

But the listeners still haven’t figured that out as they say to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”

So Jesus has to plainly tell them, “I am the bread of life, he who believes in me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” (v. 35)

The lesson continues on with some additional thoughts added by the Lord, but the whole point has already been made – Jesus Christ satisfies the spiritual hunger of every seeking and believing soul!

Matthew 5:6 (NKJV) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Conclusion:

In closing, dear friends, let me once again emphasize the fact that only Jesus can satisfy your soul!

His words got pretty graphic a little later in the chapter: “Eat my flesh and drink my blood.”

Listeners, who could only think in the literal sense, were quite baffled and even offended.

I’ve read comments in the past how critics throughout the early years of the church accused the Christians of cannibalism, and a lot of it probably had to do with statements like the ones found in this chapter. (It also had connections to their vocabulary surrounding the sacrament of Communion.)

But, Jesus was speaking in spiritual terms as noted in v. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.  

And in v. 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

The message Jesus offered these people in Capernaum is still the same message He offers today.

For anyone who is seeking something to satisfy the hunger and thirst in their soul, Jesus is the only answer that truly satisfies.

Even if seekers like the ones in this chapter, think they want physical appetites fulfilled, He is able to prove His ability to meet the deeper longings of the heart and soul.

I’m so glad that I personally have discovered the truth of this message!

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought

Since Jesus came into my heart!

I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,

Since Jesus came into my heart!

Since Jesus came into my heart!

Since Jesus came into my heart!

Floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart!

Let’s close the service today by singing this old hymn.      It is # 503 in the Celebration Hymnal.