I AM the bread of life


Daily Devotionals for June 28-July 1         


Next Sunday, we begin a new sermon series on the "I AM" statements of Jesus found in the Gospel of John. These seven statements celebrate the great hope that is ours when we recognize Who Jesus is and who we are in Him. Worship and Creative Arts Pastor Brian Hogan begins that series with a message focused on Jesus' words in John 6:35, "I am the Bread of Life." As we prepare to hear that message, this week we'll be reading and meditating on the Gospel of John, chapter 6.

We thank Becky Anderson, who serves in WBC's Women's Ministry, for preparing this week's devotional thoughts.

MONDAY, JUNE 27    



Today we are reading John 6:25-40. The text below is taken from the New International Version, but feel free to read from the version of your choice.
 

25When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"

 

26Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

 

28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

 

29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

 

30So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"

 

32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

 

34"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."

 

35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of

him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."


Many years before the crowds sought after Jesus, God heard the cries of the Israelites who were bound in slavery to the Egyptians (Exodus 2). He chose Moses to lead them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land that was set aside for them. On the way, the Israelites found themselves in a desert without food -- but God heard their grumbling and responded by providing bread (manna) that fell from the sky each morning. God met their physical hunger each day and they depended on Him to provide.

The crowd we read about in John 6 that surrounded Jesus on that day would have been familiar with the "bread from heaven" story. Jesus used that understanding to remind them that the bread that came down from heaven came from God. Now, Jesus says, God is offering "true bread" from heaven -- and this Bread gives life.

Then Jesus got personal and delivered the complete story to them. In verse 33 He speaks the astounding truth that "the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world" and then "I am the bread of life." Jesus said that He was everything they needed. In and through Him they would find their hunger disappear, their thirst quenched, and their fear of death overcome by the gift of eternal life.  "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day (see verse 40)."

We learn from the Scriptures that many who heard "got it" -- they recognized that the Person who was speaking to them was the Bread of Life, the Living Water, and their Savior. How about us? Do we really get it? We won't be hunger- and thirst-free without Jesus. All we need is in Jesus. The answer to all our questions and fulfiller of all our needs is Jesus. Take time today to remember this precious gift and what it means for you personally. Consider all the ways your life is forever changed because God sent down His Son, the bread of life.

Father,
I want to say "Thank You," for giving me the "bread of life" -- Jesus, who gave so much so that I would live for eternity with You. Thank You does not even begin to express my gratitude! Today I give you all that I am for Your service. May You be glorified through my life and know how much I delight in knowing You.
Amen

TUESDAY, JUNE 28          



Today we are reading John 6:25-40. The text below is taken from the New International Version, but feel free to read from the version of your choice.
 

25When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"

 

26Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

 

28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

 

29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

 

30So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"

 

32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

 

34"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."

 

 

35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."


The day before the crowd hears Jesus state these words, they see Him feed 5,000 people with merely five loaves of bread and two fish. If that wasn't enough, Jesus somehow arrived on the other side of the lake during a storm without ever having entered a boat.

Earlier in John 6, verses 16-21, we read that Jesus met the disciples by walking on water. The crowd didn't get that particular view, but they saw enough to make them wonder. They saw enough to cause them to endure a storm in order to stay with Jesus, tracking him down on the other side of the lake, where they questioned how He got there.

Jesus, the Creator of all things (Colossians 1:16) -- including our hunger for a deep relationship with God -- looked into their hearts and said: "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life."

Hunger for food is a powerful, life-long human desire. It is so strong and common to all people, that we often use the word hunger to describe the drives or cravings we have for other things. We experience a "hunger" for success, for money, for relationships, and more. And when something satisfies those appetites, we want more of it. We seek it out with passion.

Jesus offers what we can never find in following our natural appetites. He is calling us to come and pursue the food that endures for eternity. Seeking after Him is to seek after the only One who will completely satisfy. Isaiah got it. His words are recorded in Isaiah 55:2, where we read, "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare."

Father,
If there are things in my life that I hunger for more than the hunger I have for You, open my eyes to see. Give me the desire to pursue You alone. Lord, fill me up with Your truth so that I may walk toward You and leave these other things beyond. Remind me each and every day that You are the Bread of Life, the only One who truly satisfies.
Amen

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29         



Today we are reading John 6:41-47. The text below is taken from the New Living Translation, but feel free to read from the version of your choice.
 

41Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42They said, "Isn't this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, 'I came down from heaven'?"

 

43But Jesus replied, "Stop complaining about what I said. 44For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. 45As it is written in the Scriptures, 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46(Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.)

 

47"I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. 48Yes, I am the bread of life! 49Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. 50Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh."


From all their grumbling it was clear that they didn't truly know or understand who Jesus was or where He came from. They couldn't get past the fact that they knew Him as the son of Mary and Joseph. For Jesus to declare that God the Father sent Jesus down from heaven was beyond what they could comprehend.

It was one of those situations where it can take saying something in multiple ways, multiple times in order for it to sink in. It you have the time, read back through all of John 6 and see how Jesus says again and again, in different ways, the truth that He is the Living Bread that they desperately needed.

This was certainly a lot for them to comprehend -- and the truth is, it was no different for any of us. In verse 47, Jesus tells them one more time: "I tell you truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life!" Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, and they died, Jesus says, but I'm offering you the opportunity to live, if only you will believe what I'm telling you.

It is also important for us to realize that once we have embraced that powerful truth, it is only the beginning of what God wants to communicate to us. So a question to think about today: What is Jesus trying to tell me that I am finding it difficult to receive?

In order to listen we need to be still enough to take in the words so we can respond to what He's telling us. What might God say to us if we began by just taking five minutes today to sit quietly and let God speak? It's so easy to find ourselves in the midst of a busy days. but will you take up the challenge in the days and weeks and months ahead to set aside intentional time to just listen?

Father,
Teach me how to be still. There are so many things pressing on my mind and so many things on my "to do" list. But I want to hear Your voice. Help me to set aside all that holds my attention and just listen.
Amen

THURSDAY, JUNE 30        


Today we are reading John 6:25-40 and 51-59. The text below is taken from the New International Version, but feel free to read from the translation of your choice.
 

25When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"

 

26Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

 

28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

 

29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

 

30So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"

 

32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

 

34"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."

 

35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

 

51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

 

52Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"

 

53Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever." 59He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.


The book of John is filled with imagery, and the message series we are beginning Sunday will introduce us to many pictures that can deepen our understanding of Who Jesus is -- but only if we "see" what God's Word is saying to us.

The Jews in the synagogue who are listening to Jesus are taking what He is saying about "the bread being His flesh" very literally; they don't see what He is saying.  They missed His teaching about Who He was and failed to grasp that He was offering them eternal life. Those who got stuck on the idea of yeast and flour bread missed the truth that in order to receive the "Bread of Life," they must take it in, digest it, and believe in the One who sent it.

That is the truth we celebrate in our communion service. We revisit this picture of eating His flesh and drinking His blood when we take bread and drink the cup. The images of John 6 help us to think about Jesus as the "Bread of Life." He has given us everything we need by offering Himself, His body and blood as a sacrifice so that we may have eternal life.

"Let a person examine himself then," 1 Corinthians 11:28 tells us, "and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup."

Father,
Even now, begin to prepare my heart for the next time when I will receive communion. Bring to mind any sin in my life that I need to confess. Help me to live today in unhindered communion with You, and when I next take communion, bring to my mind how you -- the Bread of Life -- gave Your body on the cross so that I might have eternal life.
Amen

FRIDAY, JULY 1    


This week we are reading from John 6, focusing today on verses 60-69. The text below is taken from the New International Version, but feel free to read from the translation of your choice.
 

60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"

 

61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you -- they are full of the Spirit and life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them."

 

66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.

 

68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God."


As Jesus teaches to the crowd and reveals Himself as the "Bread of Life," many found it difficult to accept what He taught. Simon Peter saw that Jesus spoke "words of eternal life," and he responded in faith. That day, some followed, but many walked away.

As we go out and share with others who Jesus is and tell them what He offers, many will have the same response that we see in this passage. Some will recognize the truth and receive it, but others will walk away, finding it difficult to reconcile the truth with the picture they have in their minds of who Jesus should be.

While we do not know who will receive Jesus, we still must share so that those who desire to receive the "Bread of Life" -- and all that He offers -- can do so and experience the promised eternal life.

Father,
I ask today that you would bring to mind someone who You want me to tell about Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit that I may have the courage to speak and the words that come from You. Open their heart so they may receive the truth and respond in faith.
Amen