Let's Eat

Introduction

The holidays are quickly approaching. For many of us this means a time of great celebration usually surrounding family, friends, and food. Lots of food. More food than we should consume in any time frame, but such good food. It is as if we are given permission to be gluttons for a season. Ever been really hungry? Most of us have had hunger pains and know something about missing a meal or two. But most of us don’t really know hunger. Poverty may have resulted in some of us knowing real hunger. Some under the pressure of war or extreme circumstances know real hunger. But for most of us, we will leave here today and eat.

Not knowing real hunger may make our text a little difficult to understand. However, I think we can get the point. John is writing from the perspective of a trial. His writing will end with a physical trial, but until that moment each reader is encouraged to examine the evidence and determine what is true about Jesus. John uses signs or miracles to point the reader to Jesus. Up to this point there have been five signs pointing to who Jesus is: turning water to wine in 2:1-11, healing the official’s son in 4:43-54, healing the lame man in 5:1-15, feeding the 5000 in 6:1-15, and walking on water in 6:16-24.

These last two signs are used to set up the conversation Jesus has with the religious leaders and his own disciples. The Feeding of the 5000 was for the people to see him more fully. The Walking on the Water sign was a private interaction with his disciples so that they would become more convinced about Jesus. This isn’t unusual, the first sign of turning the water into wine was primarily known by his disciples and was done to confirm their faith. Jesus declares that he is the Bread of Life. As we have grown accustomed to seeing, there are those who are not favorably disposed to hearing Jesus’ words. Today we will hear his words, but will it lead to faith or rejection.

In John’s gospel, everyone has something to say about Jesus. Periodically, John allows us to see how people respond to the evidence. Such is the case today. And as we have done before, you, too, will be asked to look at the evidence and make a decision about Jesus. Will you hear Jesus’ words and be convinced about who he is or will you reject his words? Let’s hear his words.

Aftermath

After the last two signs, Jesus engages in a discussion with the people about bread. The people are wanting Jesus to be like Moses and provide bread on a daily basis. Jesus reminds the people that Moses didn’t provide bread only God could do that. In other words, they have set their sights too low. Jesus isn’t to be compared to Moses, he is to be compared to God. Jesus calls himself the bread of life, but he does so with the emphasis clearly on the first two words “I AM the bread of life.”

This first of seven “I AM” statements in John’s writing are designed to shout out that Jesus is God. Remember the incident in which Moses met God at the burning bush? In Exodus 3, Moses is being called to serve God by being the leader for Israel to come out of Egyptian captivity. In verses 13-15, Moses is trying to understand what is expected. And he is thinking about how he will be able to explain what has happened to him. So he asks God, when the people ask me who sent me, what name shall I use? And God answers, “I AM WHO I AM.”

God became known as the “I AM.” Jesus uses that designation in his seven “I AM” statements. This first one is clearly intended to align himself with God and to designate that he is the Messiah. Notice in 6:32 that he uses the phrase “my Father” again. As we already saw from 5:17 this phrase brought deep criticism and rejection. Then Jesus calls himself “I AM” which would further intensify ill feelings. Then he says in 6:35 that those who come to him will never be hungry or thirsty which is a reference to the Messiah’s work as seen in Isaiah 55:1 and 49:10. Then in 6:38, he says that he has comes down from heaven which results in the people grumbling.

The parallel with Moses is clear. When Moses brought food, the people grumbled. When Moses declared the will of God, the people complained. The people are wanting to compare Jesus with Moses and the comparison is similar when we look at the people’s reaction. But Jesus is not willing to allow a human comparison. He calls on the people to make a divine comparison. Jesus makes the comparison obvious in verses 41-59. Moses’ bread was temporary. Those who ate it still died. But those who eat my flesh and drink my blood will live forever.

At this many who had been following him turned away. It was and is now a highly significant moment. Who will stay and who will go? Who will accept and live by his words and who will reject and live by other words? Notice verse 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” The crowds leave. Jesus turns to his 12 and asks if they are going to leave too. However, the question assumes a negative answer. Peter’s confession is found here—Jesus is the Holy One of God.

So What?

Some want to take this text and talk about the Lord’s Supper. While that may be possible in some type of secondary way, that is not the primary purpose of this text. It is decision time. The question is “what are you hungry for?” Words such as these are spoken by families on a regular basis. What do you want to eat? What do you have a hankering for? What sounds good to you? All questions surrounding meal time and meal time preparation. What are you hungry for? The people were hungry for another meal. But not just one but 40 years worth. Like the woman at the well in John 4, they were looking for something that would make life easier. Jesus offers them something far more significant. Turn your mind away from the physical and focus on the spiritual. Notice Jesus’ words in verse 63, “the words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some who do not believe.”

What are you hungry for? What motivates your life? What drives you day in and day out? What floats your boat? What matters to you more than anything else? Life has daily challenges and some challenges last what seems to be a lifetime. But what really matters to you? Is it Jesus? Or is it to retire in comfort? Are the daily cares capturing your mind? Or do you hunger and thirst for righteousness?

This is the point of the text. Jesus is calling the people who have seen the sign to allow the sign to point to a spiritual reality. This is always John’s point—the sign points to a spiritually significant truth. Jesus provides eternal life. The bread will stop. 40 years of eating the bread will get you through this life but it will not bring you into eternity. Only Jesus gives true life. When was the last time you were really hungry for spiritual truth instead of going through the motions and just wanting everything to be right so that you didn’t have to think or worry?

Is Jesus the giver of eternal life? Is he the Holy One of God? Then devour him. Ingest him. Give your heart and life to knowing him. Preparing for a career or learning the latest technology in your field or trying to become more organized and in control of your life will not bring eternal life. Only Jesus gives real life. Jesus’ words demanded acceptance or rejection. So it is today. The crowd that surrounded Jesus hears his words. The grumbling and the arguing begins and slowly at first but definitely one by one, the people begin to turn their backs on Jesus and they walk away. They walk away from life to return to looking for their next meal. They are hungry. They are hungry for the physical. Jesus provides the spiritual. What are you hungry for?

Follow Jesus

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