I am the Bread of Life
John 6:1-66
Focus John 6:35-40
Intro:
Exodus 3:13-14 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? (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.
· This explains his name Jehovah, and signifies, 1. That he is self-existent: he has his being of himself. 2. That he is eternal and unchangeable, and always the same, yesterday, to-day, and forever. 3. That he is incomprehensible; we cannot by searching find him out: this name checks all bold and curious inquiries concerning God. 4. That he is faithful and true to all his promises, unchangeable in his word as well as in his nature; let Israel know this, I AM hath sent me unto you. I am, and there is none else besides me.
John in his book, records 7 times that Jesus said “I Am…”
· I am the Bread of Life
· I am the Light of the World
· I am the Door
· I am the Good Shepherd
· I am the Resurrection and Life
· I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
· I am the Vine
Over the next several weeks we are going to examine each of these statements that Jesus made, starting today with The Bread of Life.
I) The Setting
a) They are in the city of Capernaum (vs. 59), which was a home city to Jesus’ early ministry. Jesus did many works in that city, however, as we shall see today, they did not accept Jesus as the Messiah.
· Matthew 11:23-24 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (24) But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
· Strong statements of things to come.
b) The day before, Jesus had fed a multitude of more than 5000 people.
· Vs 5 This was a testing of the disciples, in particular Philip
· Vs 7 Philip thought that it would take a great deal of money to feed this crowd, and the others wanted Jesus to send them to the near by city for each to take care of their own needs.
1. Matthew 14:15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
· Vs 8-9 We have here again Andrew bring someone to Jesus, even if Andrew did not think that Jesus would be able to do anything for all of the people, even though this one he was bringing had offered all he had to Jesus.
· Vs 10-13 Jesus took what was given, gave thanks, and then disbursed to the disciples to give to the people to eat, and everyone was filled and they collect up twelve baskets of bread which was left over.
· Vs 14-15 These people who had eaten, knew that this was a miracle, and that a prophet was in their mist, they were even going to try to take Jesus by force, and made him their king. It is to these people, on the next day (vs 22 – 25), that Jesus is having this conversation concerning his claim. Remember this as we will again look at these people and their reactions to Jesus later.
II) The Statements
a) These statements start off with “Verily, verily”
· These words could also have been translated as “Truly, truly” or “Surely, surely”
· Any time you see word like this repeated, that means what is being said is of great importance
1) Vs. 26 Jesus knew these people’s heart. He knows your heart. You can wear masks down here to cover up your true intentions, but don’t ever think that you will be able to hide them from Jesus. These people didn’t want Jesus because of the miracles or the healings, they wanted Jesus because of the physical bread they received. They are many today who claim to be Christians, who really don’t want what Christ has to offer, they are in it for what they can have here in the now and physical.
2) Vs. 32 From the way Jesus answered their question, these people referred to Moses (another prophet) as giving them bread. It amazes me at how quick we sometimes are at blaming God for the bad, but giving man the credit for the good. These people looked at Moses for being the one who got them bread, and not that God had provided. Even with what had happened the day before, they were still thinking Jesus should give them more bread today, not because of God, just because he had done it before.
3) Vs. 47 Jesus is the giver of life, and he is also the one who gives eternal life to those who believe on Him. Look at the preceding verses:
· 44 You can only come if the Father draws you. The fact that you are here today shows God is calling you to Jesus.
· 45 If you are taught, and learn of God, you will be drawn to Jesus.
4) Vs. 53-54 Only if you are willing to go all the way with Jesus, will you have eternal life. We celebrate the Lord’s Supper, to show that we identify with what Jesus is saying here. This also shows to the world that we are not ashamed of the one who has saved us. Remember these verses the next time we have communion, and see if it makes you look at what he did in a different light.
III) The Subjects
a) Wanted to make him their King, remember the day before they thought he was a mighty prophet. (vs. 14-15)
b) Went after the physical only (vs. 26)
c) Would not accept and believe what he told them:
a) Dismissed the easiest vs. 28-29. When they asked Jesus what they needed to do and he told them, it just seemed too easy to accept. It is the same today, most people just think there has be more to salvation than what the truth when taught. That is one reason so many will go after a false religion, is the lie that they can have some part of the work.
b) Demanded a sign vs. 30-31. Not only would they dismiss his answer, they wanted more proof. Don’t be to hard on them. How many times have you tried to bargain with God on what he wanted you to do?
c) Doubted the messenger vs. 41-42. They knew his parents and his checkered beginning (or what they conceived to be his beginning). How could this one conceived out of wed lock even talk about being sent from God?
d) Disbelieved the message vs. 52, 60-61. Since they doubted the messenger, they just would not accept what he was saying. How many times have you looked at what God has told you in his word, and you just won’t follow what he says? Every time you know to do right and don’t, it is sin, it displeases God, and it shows that you don’t believe the message.
e) Deserted the Master vs. 66. They left to go their own way. Jesus had told them the truth and they left him. Shortly, we are going to have invitation, and you are going to have to make a decision. Jesus didn’t just lose the crowd, he lost some of those who were disciples, those who were listening, studying, and doing work. So many of his students were leaving, Jesus even turned to the 12 to see if they were going to leave also.
IV) The Savior
a) vs. 35 What makes Jesus this Bread?
· He will Befriend you
a) Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
b) Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
· He will Refresh you
a) Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
b) Psalms 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
· He will Encourage you
a) Psalms 94:17-19 Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. (18) When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. (19) In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
b) Luke 10:17-20 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. (18) And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. (19) Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (20) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
· He will Assist you
a) John 16:13-15 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (14) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (15) All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
b) Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
· He will Defend you
a) Revelation 12:10-11 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
b) 1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
c) Hebrews 9:14-22 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (15) And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (16) For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. (17) For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (18) Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. (19) For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, (20) Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. (21) Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. (22) And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Conclusion:
Notice how I just described Christ as the BREAD (Befriend, Refresh, Encourage, Assist, Defend). Now is the time of the service you must decide as to whether or not you are going to accept Jesus as the Bread of Life, or reject all his claims and promises. What must you do:
B – Believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent to save you
R – Receive his forgiveness
E – Exchange your unrighteous life for his righteousness
A – Allow him have all areas of your life
D – Decide to follow where he lead you
Jesus is Softly and Tenderly calling you. What will you do with him today. Lets pray.
