Wow. Lots to unpack here and think through in the gospel of John. First note that Jesus says that God is working… Rather “this is the work of God” (John 6:29). In my mind this is a throw back to the whole Healing on the Sabbath Day debacle. There Jesus said, “My father is working until now, and I am working” (John 5:17). This was his justification for working on the Sabbath… That though God had rested the 7th day, was still at work. Here Jesus proclaims that the work of God is for people to believe whom he sent… (hint: that’s Jesus).
Then in John 6:40 there is the throw back again to John 3 where Jesus talks about being lifted up like the serpent in the wilderness. Only here not the emphasis is on the looking… or belief. In John 3 the emphasis was that Jesus would be lifted up, here the emphasis is that now those who look on Him and believe will have eternal life!
But wait there is more. Jesus says that he is the bread from heaven. He is the true manna from God. Manna was the miracle bread that God provided for Israel while they wandered in the dessert. God provided by sending bread down each day. Here Jesus is saying that He is the true bread of life. That once someone has gone to him, they don’t need any more. He is enough. He satisfies.
Enter now the context of feeding the 5000 earlier in this chapter. Jesus proclaims that his body and his blood will be offered for the benefit of the world. He will indeed multiply the benefit of his death, burial and resurection to all those who would call on Him.
Application: Jesus is the true bread of Heaven. You will never be content in this life if you continually feast on the things that do not satisfy. Are you looking to Jesus today to fill you and sustain you?
Father,
I thank you for your kindness to me in drawing me to faith and repentance in Christ. This indeed is truly a better gift than I could have ever imagined. You are my daily bread. You are what sustains me in good times and in bad.
Morning: Psalm 108
Mid-Day: Psalm 56
Evening: Psalm 8
The Hill House 