SCRIPTURE BY Doug Smith
Lesson text: John 6:22-35
Related Scriptures: Exodus 16: 4-18; Isaiah 55: 1-7; John 6: 1-13
In today’s lesson, we find that Jesus has already walked on water, across the Sea of Galilee to join the disciples on the other side. The people did not see Jesus get in the boat with the disciples nor was He there with them. So the people arranged boats to take them to the other side in search of Jesus. Thus Jesus began to teach them concerning their motives for searching for Him, and God’s plan and purpose for His coming.
In these verses, Exodus 16: 4-18, we find God saying to Moses that He would provide substance for them while in the desert, making a specific reference to raining bread from heaven. Also He gave them instructions on when to gather, how much to gather, and when He would provide meat for them. In Isaiah 55:1-7, we receive an explanation of the necessity of food as nourishment and the cost thereof, but God offers us ample nourishment that feeds our soul. We are to obtain this nourishment as we come to Him, listen, seek, and call upon Him. The LORD calls for Israel to respond, because God must change their ways and receive his pardon.
In these passages of scripture, John 6: 1-13, we find that Jesus provides food for the multitude, by using two small fishes and five barley loaves. This miracle which Jesus performed not only in front of his disciples but also the multitude of 5000 that was fed. God shows His glory and promises to provide.
SYNOPSIS BY Janice Hall
God has already provided true bread from Heaven, in the one who comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world. Jesus is speaking of Himself. He says He is the one who has come from Heaven to save us to make us new, to transform our lives from lost to being redeemed. We are reading the text at the point which is the day after the miraculous feeding of the 5000. The crowd follows Jesus and His disciples to Capernaum.
Jesus responds to their first question; “ Rabbi, when did you come here ?”. Jesus in turn told them ‘ why they came’, because they wanted more food miraculously provided by Jesus. Jesus made the contrast between material and spiritual, and to work for the food which endures for everlasting life. In answering their second question, He commanded them, not to do, BUT to trust! Jesus continued to elevate their thinking, and pronounce( vs.35) ..” I am the bread of life”.
The incidents allowed Jesus to teach important truths about Himself. He further explains that His ministry is not material but spiritual for those who were eager to follow Him. Jesus is saying He can satisfy our deepest needs and longings ,and to feel full and overflowing. When we come before Him and fill ourselves with God’s word, we can receive his salvation and be truly fulfilled.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION BY Charlene Brown
Here we are again, finding ourselves positioned to some very privileged and purposeful lessons taught by Jesus Himself. Just imagine if you were in the very presence of He who committed the greatest sacrifice of all time, hearing Him give practical lessons on eternal life. The mere thought of Jesus taking the time to teach fills me with much excitement. Jesus teachings were very profound and very meaningful to the development and shaping of our Christian character and transforming us into true disciples of Christ. I believe they are just as valuable and even more so today as they were then.
The lessons Jesus taught are only as valuable as accepting and applying them to our daily lives. We are to daily read the word of God for not only transformation, but to get a glimpse of God’s love for us in every lesson, story, dialogue and circumstances. More importantly the bible takes on the form of life saving power if we just BELIEVE what is written. “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE”. When we think of bread we often think of it as a substance to sustain us temporarily, but the bread Jesus is offering is entirely different, it’s a satisfaction that guarantees eternal life. Too often we seek temporal material things and high achievements in order to satisfy our cravings and desires.
Only Jesus can sustain us and only Jesus can offer what the world can’t and that is salvation, eternal life with Him and The Father. Jesus offers us the abundant life while still here on earth. Verse 33 tells us “For the bread of God is He who comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world” isn’t that good news!! Jesus came down from Heaven to offer to us, those chosen, called and predestined by God to receive this bread of life. So whenever you may feel like your life doesn’t match up to the world’s view of you, always remember, we have access to something more valuable than all the riches and fame the world offers, we have access to THE BREAD OF LIFE that keeps us sustained, fortified, empowered, hopeful, faithful and full of LOVE.
