Jesus said to them,
“I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me
will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me
will never thirst.”
(John 6:35)
Jesus is the Bread of Life. Just as bread sustains physical life, Jesus sustains spiritual life. He is the source of eternal life, and those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst spiritually. It’s not about the physical miracles but about believing in who He is - the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Whoever partakes in the Bread of Life (Jesus) will live forever. This underscores the promise of eternal life through Jesus.
Jesus, the Bread of Life, so pure and true,
Sustains our spirits, makes us anew.
Just as bread gives life to the body's frame,
Jesus feeds our souls, in His holy name.
He is the source of life, eternal and grand,
Offering salvation, to every land.
Those who come to Him, in faith and love,
Will never hunger, in Heaven above.
Not about miracles, physical and seen,
But faith in Jesus, through the veil, serene.
He is the Son of God, the Savior so bright,
Believing in Him, brings us His light.
Partake in the Bread of Life, partake in His grace,
And live forever, in His loving embrace.
This promise of life, eternal and free,
Is the gift of Jesus, for you and for me.
Dear Lord Jesus,
You are the Bread of Life. Just as bread sustains our physical life, you sustain our spiritual life. You are the source of eternal life, and we know that those who come to You will never hunger or thirst spiritually.
We understand that it's not about the physical miracles but about believing in who You are - the Son of God and the Savior of the world. We believe in You, Lord Jesus, and we partake in the Bread of Life that You offer.
We hold onto Your promise that whoever partakes in the Bread of Life will live forever. This underscores the promise of eternal life through You, Lord Jesus.
We thank You for Your love, your sacrifice, and the eternal life that You offer. Help us to live our lives in a way that honors You and guide us on our journey of faith.
In Your holy name, we pray,
Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Book of Signs
THE BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE
John 6:22-59
Gospel Acclamation
I am the bread of life, says the Lord; whoever comes to me will never hunger.
Gospel | John 6:30-35
30 The crowd said to Jesus: “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? 31 Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” 32 So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 So they said to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
Background:
John 6:30-35 is part of a discourse that takes place after the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. This event occurs near the time of the Passover, a Jewish feast associated with God’s sustenance of Israel in the wilderness.
In this passage, the crowd asks Jesus for a sign, similar to the manna given in the wilderness during Moses’ time. They are essentially asking Jesus to prove He is the Messiah by replicating this miracle.
Jesus responds by making a significant claim: He is the true bread from heaven. He uses the term “I am” (Greek: ejgwv eijmi), which bears the Divine Name, linking Him directly to God1. He explains that unlike the manna that their ancestors ate and still died, He is the living bread that came down from heaven, and whoever eats this bread will live forever.
This discourse is significant because it highlights Jesus’ divine nature and His role as the sustainer of spiritual life. It also underscores the necessity of faith in Jesus for eternal life.
Learning Lessons:
There are several key lessons that we can learn from John 6:30-35:
Jesus is the Bread of Life: The most significant lesson from this passage is that Jesus is the Bread of Life. Just as bread sustains physical life, Jesus sustains spiritual life. He is the source of eternal life, and those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst spiritually.
Faith in Jesus: Jesus emphasizes the importance of faith in Him. It’s not about the physical miracles, but about believing in who He is - the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
Jesus is Greater than Moses: The crowd references the miracle of manna in the wilderness, attributing it to Moses. Jesus corrects them, stating that it was God, not Moses, who provided the manna. Moreover, Jesus Himself is the true Bread from Heaven, surpassing the miracle of manna.
Eternal Life: Unlike their ancestors who ate manna and died, those who partake in the Bread of Life (Jesus) will live forever. This underscores the promise of eternal life through Jesus.
God’s Provision: Just as God provided manna for the Israelites, He provides for our spiritual needs through Jesus. This teaches us to rely on God for our spiritual nourishment.
These lessons remind us of the centrality of Jesus in our spiritual lives and the importance of faith in Him. They also teach us about God’s provision and the promise of eternal life.
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
