Jesus, the Bread of life

Human beings need food to keep the body and soul together for living activities. Nevertheless, people need more than what sustains life for earthly activities. They need Jesus who takes care of the spiritual needs. He is the complete source of life. He is the One that provides the spiritual nourishment which is suitable for walking with and living for God. He is the One that shares the word "I AM" with God. His "I AM" statements in the Bible gives us the hope and assurance of eternal life. John 6:35 - Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. The followings are discussed: Jesus Satisfies the Hungry Soul; Jesus gives everlasting life, and Jesus is the living bread.

Jesus Satisfies the Hungry Souls: He provided the food that satisfied hunger. He fed five thousand (5000) people with five loaves of bread and two fishes, yet there was left over. He commanded gathering of the left over to meet other needs - no wastage in God's provision (John 6:1-12). Jesus acted harshly against people when they saw following him as an opportunity to fill their empty stomachs rather than souls. He stated the needs which are greater than physical provisions. They needed eternal food that never perishes or runs out, and which could be obtained through spiritual unity with him (John 6:26-29).

He talked about faith as the requirement to continue walking with God and believing in him. When faith is being tested by trials and difficulties, it takes considerable effort to keep believing in God, but it is worth it (2 Timothy 3:12; Proverbs 24:10). Jesus Christ is the renewed manner that will fill people living for God (John 6:36-40). He revealed himself as the true bread from heaven - the
Bread of life to maintain believers' spiritual health.

Jesus Gives Everlasting Life: Jesus performed numerous miracles with God's approval and authority. Yet many ignored his message and refused to accept the invitation for eternal relationship that will satisfy the hunger of their souls (John 6:36-40).

Christ claim of divinity - He was sent by God as the offer of salvation of souls of people. Some get upset when they hear this, the reason is as a result of unbelief in their hearts. Such unbelief is what the Bible describes as the stumbling block for those who refuse to believe. Those who believe are assured of resurrection and eternal life. Those who don't believe this spiritual truth can only be taught by God himself (John 6:41-47, Isaiah 53:4).

Jesus is the Living Bread: The crowd misunderstood Jesus when he declared that he was 'the living bread', unlike the manna which God provided through Moses, and which people ate and died. He was offered as the spiritual food that will save whoever partakes of it from spiritual death (John 6:48-52).

Christ was offered as the bread of life. All that is needed to share in his life is to accept him as the Lord and Savour. Righteous and godly living that leads to eternal life is found in him (John 6:53-58). While physical bread can only sustain life for some  time, the real and true bread provided by Christ offers spiritual life. Lesson text: John 6:24-58.