The people wanted to make Jesus their king, in the political sense, so he could be their protector and provider. Jesus answers their call for more miracles by giving some of the deepest theological truths presented thus far in the Gospel.
Jesus wanted the people to understand that He had his Father’s seal upon him. Like a king’s seal, this not only identified the bearer of the seal as belonging to the king but also granted the king’s authority to the bearer. As it was God providing manna for the people in the first exodus and it was God’s son, with God’s authority providing food for the people in the second exodus. However, the people were making the same mistake their ancestors in the first exodus made. They acted as though God was at that their beck and call, as though Israel somehow deserved to be picked by God as his people.
The Gospel of John is known for the “I am” statements made by Jesus and in today’s passage we encounter the first: “I am the bread of life.” John is hoping we can see the connection between our celebration of the sacrament of Holy Communion and Jesus’ discussion of our eating his flesh and drinking his blood. Jesus statements about eating his flesh and drinking his blood have been hugely controversial over the centuries, primarily because people forget that John is continually showing how the Old Testament points to and is fulfilled in Jesus.
In this case we need to remember a story about King David that is recorded in 1 Samuel 23 and I Chronicles 11. David and his men were penned down in a battle near Bethlehem. Thinking out loud David said he would love to have a drink of water from the well in Bethlehem. Later, three of his mighty men, at great personal risk, went through enemy lines and got water from the well and brought it to David. David responded by saying for him to drink the water would be profiting from his men’s willingness to risk their lives; it would as though he was drinking their blood. David poured the water onto the ground.
Jesus is saying that he is not only willing to risk his life, but to lose his life for our sake. Jesus is saying that we can drink and profit from his sacrifice. Thus, true believing in Jesus as our Messiah is like feeding upon Jesus, the bread of life. It is like drinking of his blood as we participate in his sacrifice for our sins.
In verse 34 the people didn’t know what they were saying when they responded to Jesus. They couldn’t get past what they wanted Jesus to do for them. However, when we begin to grasp that what really matters is not what Jesus can do for us, but who Jesus is, then their response becomes the greatest prayer ever:
“Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
14-Mar-12 John 6:60-7:13
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