The Bread of Life
John 6: 35-40
The Bible records several statements made by Jesus referring to Himself as the I Am. This was actually one word spoken in the Greek language – eimi, which is simply I AM. It was also translated “it is I” in some passages. John 4:26 – Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. John 6:20 – But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. John 8:24 – I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. John 8:28 – Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. John 8:58 – Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Jesus referred to Himself in these passages by using the Old Testament name for God. Exodus 3:14 – And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. John’s gospel records the majority of the I Am statements of Jesus.
It is important to understand the context in which these statements were spoken. Jesus had come as the promised Messiah. He was God in human form, coming to provide redemption for fallen humanity. While many realized Jesus was special, not at all like other men, most failed to see Him as the Christ. These I Am statements were made with purpose – to reveal Himself as the Christ. He wanted them to see Him as their Savior and Redeemer, come to provide salvation.
We are thousands of years removed and yet these statements continue to hold great significance. Many believe that Jesus was a historical figure who lived and died, but many stop short of seeing Him as the Christ, Savior of the world. As believers, these statements also remind us of what the Lord has provided for us through salvation. We have received much in Christ.
Over the next few weeks, I want to consider the I Am statements recorded in John’s gospel. Today we will examine the affirmations of Jesus as we see Him as: The Bread of Life.
I. His Identity Defined (35-36) – Jesus revealed His true identity. We discover:
A. His Affirmation (35) – And 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. Jesus begins this powerful statement with an affirmation of who He is: I am. This is the first of several “I Am” statements that Jesus reveals concerning Himself in John’s gospel alone. He said, “I am the Bread of life; the Light of the world; the Door; the good Shepherd; the Resurrection and the Life; the Way, the Truth, and the Life; and the true Vine. He wanted them to see Him for who He was. He was much more than one who worked wonders; He is the I AM! Surely this brought to mind when Moses stood by the burning bush. Ex.3:14 – And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Jesus would later proclaim His deity in John 8:58 – Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am; and in Rev.1:8 – I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. We must see the Person of Jesus as He is, the I AM!
B. His Provision (35b) – he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. The multitude was seeking physical bread that would only sustain them for a while, but Jesus offered the Bread of life that once received, man would never hunger again. He offered life giving water that would forever satisfy the thirst of a hungry soul. Rev.21:6 – And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Many today are like those who came to Jesus that day. They are looking for things to satisfy but can’t seem to find what they desire. Many look to pleasures of the flesh, alcohol, or a bottle of pills, but once the effects of those influences wear off there is still a hunger and emptiness in the soul. Jesus is the only One who can provide what we need, and His provision is eternal. One touch from the Lord and you will be forever changed!
C. His Exaltation (36) – But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. Jesus knew the desire of their hearts. He knew their intentions. They were more than happy to receive the benefits He provided, but they were unwilling to submit to Him as Lord and Master. Their rebellion and unbelief would hinder their receiving His marvelous gift.
This fundamental truth has not changed and never will. No doubt all who ever lived want to go to heaven when they die. All desire to receive the favor and grace of God in their lives, but all are not willing to receive Christ.
He is the source of our salvation. There is no other way to be forgiven and inherit eternal life. What we do with Jesus is the defining factor in our lives and our eternal destiny. He must be recognized and accepted as Lord if man is to be saved.
II. His Authority Declared (37-38) – Jesus reveals great truth about God’s plan of salvation. Let’s consider the elements involved in these truths.
A. The Providence (37a) – All that the Father giveth me shall come to me. Jesus speaks of those whom the Father has given Him. He spoke of those who come unto Him. If we are to be saved and receive the Bread of life, there must have been a drawing of the Lord, v.44. There must be the work of the Holy Spirit dealing with our hearts in conviction. We cannot leave God out of the salvation process.
There are many today who are not saved and yet they fully intend to get saved. “I plan on getting saved before I die, just not right now. I have a lot of living yet to do.” There is only one problem with that attitude: we can’t get saved when we decide that we want to. The Lord must be dealing with our hearts and drawing us toward the Savior. Many have had good intentions, but I fear that hell is filled with good intentions. If you are unwilling to do business with God when He is dealing with your heart, what makes you think that you will be willing to do so when He isn’t? Once again, we cannot leave God out of the salvation process! We must come as He leads.
B. The Assurance (37b) – and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. These sought fulfillment for a temporal need. Had Jesus produced bread again, they could’ve been filled, but just as before they would’ve hungered again. Jesus declared that all who come to Him will be received and enjoy the benefit that He affords. He offers much more than physical bread to those who believe.
What a promise for the child of God! All who come to Him shall never be cast out. There will never come a day when we are asked to leave the presence of the Lord. There will never be a time when He fails to care for us. There will never be a circumstance that He isn’t able to provide our need. John 10:28-29; Rom. 8:31-39.
C. The Obedience (38) – For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. Clearly those present that day had not grasped the enormity of this encounter. Calvary was yet in the distance, but already Jesus is resigned to the cross. He is determined to fulfill the plan of salvation that God had set forth before the foundation of the world. Had there been no Savior there would be no salvation and Jesus fully submitted to offering Himself a sacrifice for the sins of mankind!
Salvation is the most precious gift that one could receive and I am truly thankful that I have been saved, but often we forget just what our Savior endured to fulfill salvation’s plan. He was the holy, sinless Son of God. He who knew no sin, He who never once committed sin or had to seek forgiveness willingly took our sin upon Himself, bearing that sin on the cross. He could’ve called more than twelve legions of angels and escaped the cross, but He submitted to that awful death so that we might be saved!
III. His Reliability Defended (39-40) – In these verses Jesus reveals the matchless power that is associated with our salvation. Consider:
A. Our Preservation (39) – 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. Once again Jesus is speaking of the will of the Father. He had come to offer Himself a sacrifice for our sin, fulfilling salvation’s plan; and all who come to Christ in salvation will be kept by His power. (I’m glad that it isn’t up to me to keep myself saved!) Of all the Father has given Him, He should lose nothing – not a single soul who has come to Christ is lost!
No doubt those who followed Jesus may have wondered about their security in Him as He died upon the cross, but death was not the end for our Lord. He rose from the grave victorious over sin, having completely secured salvation for all who come unto Him.
We can take comfort in that today. In fact, we can greatly rejoice. All who are saved are kept by the power of God. There aren’t enough demons in hell to remove us from the grace and power of Christ. Every soul that has ever received Christ will be found worshipping Him in heaven! 1 Pet.1:5 –Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
B. Our Salvation (40) – And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. Long before Jesus ever walked upon this earth in the form of a man, sin had entered into the hearts of men. That sin caused separation between God and man. Because of that sin, all who ever lived stood condemned in that sin. God demanded that we be righteous as He is righteous. That is impossible within ourselves. There had to be a sacrifice to atone for that sin in order for restoration to be made. Jesus became that Sacrifice and through Him man can now restored unto God. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. I’m glad that I no longer stand condemned but have received His righteousness.
The key to this verse is: every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him. We must see our need before a holy God and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. There were many in Jesus’ day who knew who He was, but they never believed on Him. Many today know who Jesus is, but they have never come to Him in salvation. There must be more than head knowledge; we must know Christ in a personal way unto salvation.
C. Our Resurrection – Twice in these verses Jesus spoke of those who will be raised up in the last day. He is speaking of the coming resurrection. Many who believed in the Lord have gone by the way of the grave; but just as it was for our Lord, death is not the end for the child of God either. We too have the hope of being raised again when Jesus steps out and calls for His bride. Titus 2:13 – Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (1 Thes.4:16-17.)
Conclusion: I trust you have considered the gracious benefit we have available through the great sacrifice of Christ on our behalf. He truly is the Bread of Life. Those who come to Him will never hunger and those who believe on Him will never thirst. He provides satisfaction and assurance for the hungry and thirsty soul. He promised eternal life for all who come to Him by faith. His provision satisfies our need today and sustains our lives for all eternity. Have you received the Bread of Life? Are you trusting solely in Him through repentance and faith for salvation? If not, come today and find the fulfillment your soul desires!
