Holy Bread of Life
Key Verses: 29, 35, 40
We see in this passage Jesus performing a miracle and then using the miracle to teach us something about Himself. Here Jesus multiplies physical food for the people and then He tells them that He is the bread of life. This connection between miracle and Jesus’ claim to power and authority is one of the tools John uses to pull his readers toward belief in Jesus. Jesus shows He has the power and authority by performing a miracle and them states the claim directly.
I love the fact that a boy offers his little bit to help out. Children have the capacity to just be real and genuine. We lose this ability to be real as we grow. We learn to filter our responses, especially our enthusiastic, energetic responses. Jesus is able to stay transparent like a child. He lets His true self show through. We get to see the real Jesus every moment. He does not need to put on a cloak of respectability. He is just Himself.
Jesus continues to try to shift the focus from earthly, temporary priorities to eternal, permanent ones. The people look for physical food and Jesus wants lift their sights to heavenly things. He calls them to believe in Him. He multiplies physical bread and fish to feed 5000 men, and then He says that He Himself is the Holy Bread, the bread that came down from heaven, just like Moses experienced. The LORD provided for the children of Israel for 40 years while they were in the desert. Jesus uses the first instance of His “I AM” statements. I am the Bread of Life. This series of statements emphasize the uniqueness and exclusivity of Jesus’ claims about Himself. Watch for these as we go through John. Jesus declares that He is the bread of life. He wants to provide heavenly nourishment for them, if they will believe in Him.
And right in the middle of this chapter Jesus walks on water showing his master of nature itself. John will pick this up again later in the book and apply it.
REVIEW: Acrostic Theme & each chapter’s phrase.
The Arnold Journey 