As you can see from this passage of scripture, Jesus is trying to tell the Jews who He was but there were some who did not believe Him. Remember, this conversation started when the people whom Jesus fed could not find Him or His disciples. Jesus had just fed the 5,000 with five barley loaves and two small fishes, and when all were filled and finished eating, the disciples gathered them together and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of bread.
So, believing that Jesus could (and did) perform miracles was never in question.
Seeking Jesus the next day, they too took a ship to Capernaum. When they found Him there, they asked the question, "Rabbi, when came Thou hither?" (John 6:25)
Most listeners would have taken this question to mean -- "Jesus, when did you come to Capernaum?" But Jesus knew their motives. He said to them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you. Ye seek Me not because ye saw the miracles but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perishes, but for the meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you; for Him hath God the Father sealed." (John 6:26-27)
Then said they unto Him, "What shall we do that we might work the works of God?" And Jesus answered and said unto them, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent." (John 6:28-29; I John 3:23)
Most listeners would have taken this question to mean -- "Jesus, when did you come to Capernaum?" But Jesus knew their motives. He said to them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you. Ye seek Me not because ye saw the miracles but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perishes, but for the meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you; for Him hath God the Father sealed." (John 6:26-27)
Then said they unto Him, "What shall we do that we might work the works of God?" And Jesus answered and said unto them, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent." (John 6:28-29; I John 3:23)
In other words, if they really wanted to work the works of God, these would first have to believe on Him whom He hath sent -- Jesus.
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: "for He shall save His people from their sins." Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel," which being interpreted is, "God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23)
As we can see, that was probably not going to happen. As a consequence, the Jews asked Jesus, "What sign show Thou then, that we may see and believe Thee? What dost Thou work?" Our fathers did eat manna in the desert. As it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat." (John 6:30-31)
In another account, we see a similar question asked by a certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees, stating, "Master, we would see a sign from Thee" as a way of tempting Him. (Matthew 12:38) And, again, in Mark's account of the gospel of Jesus Christ -- when the Pharisees came forth and began to question Him, "seeking of Him a sign from heaven, tempting Him" then as well. (Mark 8:11)
So then, what did Jesus say?
Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you. Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He which comes down from heaven and gives life unto the world ... I am the bread of life -- he that comes to Me shall never hunger and he that believes on Me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, "That ye also have seen Me and believe not."
As we can see, that was probably not going to happen. As a consequence, the Jews asked Jesus, "What sign show Thou then, that we may see and believe Thee? What dost Thou work?" Our fathers did eat manna in the desert. As it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat." (John 6:30-31)
In another account, we see a similar question asked by a certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees, stating, "Master, we would see a sign from Thee" as a way of tempting Him. (Matthew 12:38) And, again, in Mark's account of the gospel of Jesus Christ -- when the Pharisees came forth and began to question Him, "seeking of Him a sign from heaven, tempting Him" then as well. (Mark 8:11)
So then, what did Jesus say?
Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you. Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He which comes down from heaven and gives life unto the world ... I am the bread of life -- he that comes to Me shall never hunger and he that believes on Me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, "That ye also have seen Me and believe not."
All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and him that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven -- not to do Mine own will but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which sees the Son and believes on Him may have everlasting life -- and I will raise Him up the last day." (John 6:35-40)
Somewhere within this dialogue, the people said unto Him, "Lord, evermore give us this bread." (John 6:34) Like the woman at the well, to whom Jesus had said earlier, "Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again" -- referring to the well. "But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:13-14)
Still, two very different responses. The woman at the well quickly dropped her watering buckets so that she could run into the village and tell everyone who would listen of her encounter with the promised Messiah -- the Christ which was prophesied before by the prophets. Conversely, the Jews murmured at Jesus because He had said to them, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." In other words, these were unable to get passed the fact that Jesus was known to be the son of Joseph the carpenter and Mary.
But Jesus told them to murmur not among themselves, just before providing those that had ears to hear and eyes to see with the key to the good news gospel. Jesus said:
"No man can come to Me except the Father which hath sent Me draw Him and I will raise Him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets; "And they shall be all taught of God." Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father comes unto Me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save He which is of God, He hath seen the Father ...
... Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that believes on Me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:43-51)
Instead of listening intently to the words of Jesus, and desiring more of Him (as did the woman at the well) the Jews that strove among themselves rejected any notion that Jesus was exactly who He said He was. For example, Jesus said that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws him. At this point, these men should have wondered why. Or, when Jesus said that every man that hath learned of the Father must first come to Him -- Jesus -- and that He was the living bread that came down from heaven, what message should have been inherent to those listening? Or that no man hath seen the Father, save He which is of God -- He hath seen the Father.
All of these statements singularly or together equaled eternal life to those who would humbly come before Jesus. The difficulty for the Jews however was that in order to receive life everlasting, these would have to believe that Jesus was the One whom was sent. The living bread which willingly came down from heaven, so that they could obtain salvation and thus, be raised up on that last day. These would have to believe what was prophesied by the prophets from afore. That is, that Almighty God would come forth as a mighty man.
Somewhere within this dialogue, the people said unto Him, "Lord, evermore give us this bread." (John 6:34) Like the woman at the well, to whom Jesus had said earlier, "Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again" -- referring to the well. "But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:13-14)
Still, two very different responses. The woman at the well quickly dropped her watering buckets so that she could run into the village and tell everyone who would listen of her encounter with the promised Messiah -- the Christ which was prophesied before by the prophets. Conversely, the Jews murmured at Jesus because He had said to them, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." In other words, these were unable to get passed the fact that Jesus was known to be the son of Joseph the carpenter and Mary.
But Jesus told them to murmur not among themselves, just before providing those that had ears to hear and eyes to see with the key to the good news gospel. Jesus said:
"No man can come to Me except the Father which hath sent Me draw Him and I will raise Him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets; "And they shall be all taught of God." Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father comes unto Me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save He which is of God, He hath seen the Father ...
... Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that believes on Me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:43-51)
Instead of listening intently to the words of Jesus, and desiring more of Him (as did the woman at the well) the Jews that strove among themselves rejected any notion that Jesus was exactly who He said He was. For example, Jesus said that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws him. At this point, these men should have wondered why. Or, when Jesus said that every man that hath learned of the Father must first come to Him -- Jesus -- and that He was the living bread that came down from heaven, what message should have been inherent to those listening? Or that no man hath seen the Father, save He which is of God -- He hath seen the Father.
All of these statements singularly or together equaled eternal life to those who would humbly come before Jesus. The difficulty for the Jews however was that in order to receive life everlasting, these would have to believe that Jesus was the One whom was sent. The living bread which willingly came down from heaven, so that they could obtain salvation and thus, be raised up on that last day. These would have to believe what was prophesied by the prophets from afore. That is, that Almighty God would come forth as a mighty man.
The Word that was in the beginning with God and was God dwelling among them, so that we could behold His glory. (John 1:1-18)
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Herein, Jesus was reaching out to one and all saying, "I am THAT bread of life." (John 6:48)
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Herein, Jesus was reaching out to one and all saying, "I am THAT bread of life." (John 6:48)
Not another but THAT bread of life. The One and Only who breathed His breath into man so that he would have life.
Yes, Jesus was declaring -- "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever." (John 6:51)
The very words that Jesus was speaking unto them -- "are Spirit and are life." (John 6:63)
Yes, Jesus was declaring -- "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever." (John 6:51)
The very words that Jesus was speaking unto them -- "are Spirit and are life." (John 6:63)
As Paul later wrote: "Who hath made us able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter but of the Spirit, for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life." (II Corinthians 3:6)
But as we can see, "their minds were blinded for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament, which vail is done away with in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart." (II Corinthians 3:14-15)
These could not accept that Jesus was the King of kings and Lord of lords. Nevertheless, had their hearts turned to the Lord, the vail would have been taken away immediately. These would have clearly understood that Jesus was telling them that He -- "I and My Father are One." (John 10:30)
But instead the good news gospel message was lost on them. Some of His own disciples were offended by what appeared to be outrageous statements.
When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, "Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before? It is the Spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not." (John 6:60-64)
Is this not the same issue we have today? Those who profess to believe in Jesus by faith within our modern day culture would rather hold to the religious traditions of men, instead of seeking to understand that Jesus the Christ was Almighty God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)
Jesus told us to seek Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and that when we did, we would understand that the Lord thy God is One Lord. (Mark 12:28; Deuteronomy 6:4)
Jesus -- both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
This is why Jesus said, in response to Philip's request to show him the Father and it suffices us, "Have I been so long time with you and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how say thou then, "Shew us the Father?" (John 14:1-31)
Or, as Thomas said, after thrusting his hand inside Jesus' side, "My Lord and my God."
If only we believed, we would receive "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it sees Him not, as Jesus said, "neither knows Him, but ye know Him, for He dwells with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world sees Me no more, but ye see Me, because I live, ye shall live also." (John 14:17-19)
Jesus told us, "At that day, ye shall ask in My name and I say not unto you, that I pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loved you, because ye have loved Me and have believed that I came out form God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world and go to the Father." (John 16:26-28)
The only begotten -- the mystery that was hid in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world. God manifest in the flesh so that we might have life abundant in Him. A relationship as His chosen generation, a royal priesthood in which we know His business.
Indeed, for God so loved the world .... (John 3:16)
Please, don't be like those who did not believe in the bread of life -- even though He stood in their midst. Please do not be like those who rejected His true identity because these could not get past the fact that Jesus was the son of a carpenter. Please do not dismiss Jesus for telling the gospel with authority, even when all you see is His humble surroundings.
Rather, understand that in order for us to receive salvation, God had to give Himself as a sacrifice. There had to be shedding of blood in order for the legal requirements of the old covenant to be fulfilled. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not.
Now that is love for each and every one of us. Sadly, as Jesus said, there are some of you that believe not. Don't be as one of these. Instead, grasp hold of the greatest love story ever shared. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and life today. Be water baptized in His precious name -- the name of the Lord Jesus Christ according to Acts 2:36-47 and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. His garment of righteousness. Seek Him through His Word and in prayer. Rejoice always in His mercy and love and grace that surpasses all human understanding.
Stand in the offering plate.
But instead the good news gospel message was lost on them. Some of His own disciples were offended by what appeared to be outrageous statements.
When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, "Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before? It is the Spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not." (John 6:60-64)
Is this not the same issue we have today? Those who profess to believe in Jesus by faith within our modern day culture would rather hold to the religious traditions of men, instead of seeking to understand that Jesus the Christ was Almighty God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)
Jesus told us to seek Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and that when we did, we would understand that the Lord thy God is One Lord. (Mark 12:28; Deuteronomy 6:4)
Jesus -- both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
This is why Jesus said, in response to Philip's request to show him the Father and it suffices us, "Have I been so long time with you and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how say thou then, "Shew us the Father?" (John 14:1-31)
Or, as Thomas said, after thrusting his hand inside Jesus' side, "My Lord and my God."
If only we believed, we would receive "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it sees Him not, as Jesus said, "neither knows Him, but ye know Him, for He dwells with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world sees Me no more, but ye see Me, because I live, ye shall live also." (John 14:17-19)
Jesus told us, "At that day, ye shall ask in My name and I say not unto you, that I pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loved you, because ye have loved Me and have believed that I came out form God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world and go to the Father." (John 16:26-28)
The only begotten -- the mystery that was hid in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world. God manifest in the flesh so that we might have life abundant in Him. A relationship as His chosen generation, a royal priesthood in which we know His business.
Indeed, for God so loved the world .... (John 3:16)
Please, don't be like those who did not believe in the bread of life -- even though He stood in their midst. Please do not be like those who rejected His true identity because these could not get past the fact that Jesus was the son of a carpenter. Please do not dismiss Jesus for telling the gospel with authority, even when all you see is His humble surroundings.
Rather, understand that in order for us to receive salvation, God had to give Himself as a sacrifice. There had to be shedding of blood in order for the legal requirements of the old covenant to be fulfilled. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not.
Now that is love for each and every one of us. Sadly, as Jesus said, there are some of you that believe not. Don't be as one of these. Instead, grasp hold of the greatest love story ever shared. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and life today. Be water baptized in His precious name -- the name of the Lord Jesus Christ according to Acts 2:36-47 and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. His garment of righteousness. Seek Him through His Word and in prayer. Rejoice always in His mercy and love and grace that surpasses all human understanding.
Stand in the offering plate.
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