John 6:35
Thoughts from Crystal Garnett
Dive Deeper
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; the one who comes to Me will not be hungry, and the one who believes in Me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35
Behind the Scenes
This I AM statement of Jesus comes after Jesus does two miraculous things. First, a large crowd gathers around to hear Jesus teach, 5000 men plus women and children. Can you imagine?! Then it comes time to eat and they have nothing to give them. But a small boy offers up his lunch of five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus takes this small offering and miraculously multiplies it so that every person is fed, and when they gather the leftovers there are twelve baskets filled! There was more leftover when all the people had eaten than when they first begun!
Then, Jesus withdraws from the crowds and his disciples set out across the sea, headed to Capernaum. While out on the water, the disciples see Jesus walking on the water to them! The crowds return to the place where Jesus had multiplied the food and seeing that He and His disciples had crossed over the sea, the crowds got in boats and followed behind them.
When they reached the other side, Jesus points out that the only reason the people are seeking Him is because, essentially, they got a free meal! But He uses this as a teaching point, telling them, “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you,”.
Of course, this sounds amazing to the listeners and they ask for this food. And that’s when Jesus gives them this statement. “I am the bread of life,” He says. This statement infuriates some, confuses others, and draws others in. Jesus goes on to explain that He alone is the source of eternal life. The point of His teaching is to get people to stop thinking about just the next meal, but to look to things eternal. He uses their physical need for food to highlight a deeper, spiritual need.
Make it Real
I could fill the pages of a bible study on all the object lessons that Jesus is using here to teach deeper spiritual truths. But for this week’s lesson, let’s focus on just two:
Physical Hunger: Jesus draws a strong parallel between the hunger the crowds felt in their bellies to the hunger that they were blind to in their souls. The crowds were all physically satisfied the day before. Their hunger was met by Jesus in a miraculous way. But guess what? The next morning, their bellies were growling all over again. So, they come back for more, knowing that He satisfied their hunger once, hoping He might do it again.
But Jesus came to satisfy more than just a physical hunger. Physical hunger is satisfied by physical food. But Jesus saw that the people had a deeper hunger that physical food would never satisfy. They were soul hungry and only Jesus is enough to satisfy that kind of hunger. That is why he used this analogy, (the symbolism of bread). He wanted us to understand that like our physical bodies need bread (food) or they will die, our spiritual bodies need Him.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve felt that soul hunger, that deep down ache in your soul that cries out for something more. I’ve been guilty of trying to satisfy that hunger with things, experiences, people, and places. But nothing ever works. Like trying to satisfy physical hunger by feasting on air, we will never find satisfaction this way. However, when we feast on Jesus, letting Him fill us to overflowing, that hunger is satisfied.
The Five Barley Loaves and Two Fish: Jesus was God incarnate. If He wanted to, He could have asked God to send manna from heaven, called fish to jump out of the water and land on each person’s laps, or any other thing. He could have. But instead of just doing it Himself, He allows a small boy to bring to Him what he had to offer. Can you imagine the utter hopelessness the disciples might have felt looking at those 5 small loaves and 2 fish wondering how that would even help? Can you imagine the doubt whether they should even show the Master? What would it matter? It wasn’t even a good place to start. There was still just as much need as before with just as little hope for an answer.
Isn’t it just like Jesus to take what we humbly give to Him and turn it into something we could never imagine?! Isn’t it just like Jesus to smile at us and softly say, “bring me what you have and just watch what I can do with it”? But we have to have the boldness to bring our meager offering to the Lord. We have to set down our pride and offer what we have, even knowing that it will never be enough on its own. But boy, oh boy! Just step back and see what Jesus can do when we obey His call!
So, my challenge to you this week is this: Where are you hungry, soul hungry, and nothing of this world is satisfying? Where are you afraid to bring what you have to Jesus? Where have you disqualified yourself or ignored the hunger in your life? How can you take that to Jesus and take one step forward, even if it’s a baby step forward?
Jesus wants to meet you in that. He wants to receive you in whatever state you are in, hungry, afraid, or maybe a little of both. He wants to be your everything, your satisfier, and your miracle worker. So, what are you waiting for?
Crystal Garnett
ACF Digital Discipleship Team Lead
End in Prayer
Jesus,
I read these stories about how you moved in mighty ways and I often wonder if any of that could be for me. I sometimes feel so empty or lost. I need you to fill me to overflowing and quench this soul hunger deep inside. Please take what I have, small as it might be, and do something amazing!
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen