John 6:25-40
Lesson Focus
This passage challenges us to reflect on the nature of our pursuit of Jesus and what it means to truly believe in Him.
Lesson Outcomes
Through this lesson, students should:
Understand the deeper significance of Jesus as the "bread of life" and how it relates to their spiritual sustenance.
Reflect on their personal motives for following Jesus and explore how to seek Him for lasting, spiritual nourishment.
Begin to grasp the concept of belief as an active, trusting relationship with Jesus that influences their daily actions.
Catching Up on the Story
We’re discovering who Jesus is. Over the last few weeks, we’ve read stories that depict various responses to God’s revelation through Jesus. Like Nicodemus, some think they know who Jesus is and what he’s about, but when they encounter him, they’re befuddled by his words. Others, like the Samaritan woman at the well, start from relative ignorance but move toward a fuller knowledge and understanding of Jesus. Still others, like the crowd that Jesus miraculously feeds with only a few loaves of bread and a few fish, see Jesus’ power to provide for the people in a way that only Kings generally could, long to take Jesus and make him King of Israel, hoping he would deliver them from the Romans.
Meanwhile, Jesus goes out of his way to proclaim who he is, what his relation to the Father is, and to describe his mission. In no uncertain terms, Jesus declares that he and the Father are one. Jesus does what he sees his Father doing. Jesus is the one who will judge the world at the end. More importantly, Jesus is the one who brings light, life, and love to the world. God demonstrated God’s love for the world by sacrificing a significant part of himself (Jesus) to fix a creation broken by human selfish sinfulness.
This week’s passage comes right after Jesus feeds the 5,000 who want to install him as King in Israel. Jesus narrowly, but only momentarily, escapes and evades the crowd. The day after feeding the crowd, they find Jesus in Capernaum and begin to question him.
The Crowd’s Questions
This week’s passage is an impromptu question-and-answer session between Jesus and those who have desperately followed him after feeding the five thousand. There’s a certain excitement and expectation in the air that can only be fulfilled by being in Jesus’ presence. The crowds do what seems natural and normal when confronted with something or someone who defies our expectations; they ask questions.
While the crowd may not necessarily be looking for a commentary on Jesus’ miraculous gift of bread and fish, Jesus seizes the opportunity to use bread as a helpful image in describing his nature and mission. We’ll look at each question and Jesus’ response as we move through the text.
When…
The first question the crowd asks concerns how Jesus got to Capernaum. It’s a legitimate question because Jesus had not gotten into the single boat the disciples used to leave the area. The distance between where Jesus fed the five thousand, and Capernaum was long enough that Jesus could not have walked in the time that had transpired. In a moment of disbelief at what they’re seeing, the crowd asks, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”
Unfortunately for the crowds, Jesus doesn’t answer the question they’ve asked. Instead, Jesus tells the crowd why they’ve so desperately sought to find Jesus. The miracle (sign in John’s language) Jesus spectacularly performed isn’t why the crowds have followed. The answer is much simpler: they ate and were filled with bread. The bread that Jesus gave satisfied their hunger. Bruner thinks the crowds seeking after Jesus were self-serving. He asks, “Is it possible that what we think are our good motives may often, in fact, be shot through with our self-seeking” (Bruner, 383)? If we were in the crowd and were poor like most of them likely were, would we follow someone who could take care of our physical needs with a simple prayer?
After clearly stating why the crowds have followed him, Jesus admonishes them to work for “food that perishes, but for food that endures for eternal life…” (v. 27). Both Jesus and the crowds know that the bread they ate yesterday will not continue to nourish them for long. In rather short order, they will need to eat again. What the crowds do not know is that Jesus possesses food “that endures for eternal life.” Remember, “eternal life” is not just quantitative, meaning it goes on forever, but also qualitative. The nourishment we receive from Jesus doesn’t punch our ticket to heaven so much as it begins to sustain the transformative work God, through Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit, wants to accomplish in the believer’s life.
Jesus isn’t shy about proclaiming where the bread that produces eternal life can be found. It is a gift given to you all (you is plural) from the Son of Man. The title, Son of Man, was a designation that sounds rather mundane but is connected with Israel’s messianic hopes. The Son of Man is the Suffering Servant found in several important passages in Isaiah, namely Isaiah 53. It’s also a title used in Daniel 7:13-14 (Bruner, 385). In verse 27, Jesus takes the title as his own. To further clarify things, Jesus says that as the Son of Man, God the Father has set his seal on Jesus. A seal is a sign of authenticity and legitimacy. In no uncertain terms, Jesus claims the legitimate authority to hand out God’s eternal life-producing bread. For those early readers and believers, the seal was Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist.
What Should We Be Doing…?
By now, the crowds are fully engaged and beyond curious about this man who claims to have the keys to everlasting life. Undaunted by Jesus’ pivot in answering their first question, the crowds pose a second question, “ What must we do to perform the works of God?”
We don’t know what kind of answer the crowds were expecting, but there’s a good chance they weren’t expecting the answer Jesus gave. The work of God is that “you believe in him who he has sent.” Bruner points out that Jesus again takes the crowd’s question and modifies it to fit his purposes. The crowds ask about what “works” they must do. Jesus’ response reduces the plural “works” to the singular “work.” There aren’t many things we must do. The work we must do is to “believe in” the one sent by God (Bruner, 388).
We must remember that belief is always more than a mental assent to an idea, theory, or fact. Belief always finds demonstration in concrete actions. At the same time, belief isn’t complicated. In fact, Jesus is calling for the crowds to place a simple trust in him. What are they to trust? As they grow in their understanding of Jesus’ life and ministry, we are to relax and trust what we receive from God through Jesus in the power of the Spirit.
Jesus describes this as the work of God because belief always takes work. Belief always requires action. It takes time to learn and internalize the upside-down nature of the Kingdom Jesus brings (Bruner, 388). Faith seeks understanding so that we respond appropriately to the gift of life. In a way, Jesus asks us to trust the process of God’s work in us and the world. As a culture, we don’t do this very well. At least personally, I often have a hard time trusting the process, seeking to rush ahead because I’m impatient or think I already have the requisite knowledge or skill to accomplish something.
Good protestants might get hung up on all this talk about work. Any work we might do in connection with our belief in Jesus is always in response to the gift of God’s grace we have already been given. Our belief in Jesus is made possible by God’s generous and loving offer of a restored relationship with him and others. What we do with that gift determines the state of our relationship with the God who created us. We move from death to life, from a broken relationship with God to a reconciled relationship, when we faithfully respond to the trust we’ve been enabled to make by giving that trust back to God.
What Sign Will You Give Us…?
The crowd’s response to Jesus’ answer might seem a bit snarky. They wonder what sign Jesus might provide to prove he’s worthy of their trust. Perhaps this is a fair question if it weren’t for the comparison they seek to make between Jesus and Moses or the fact that they just witnessed Jesus miraculously feeding them. The crowds reach back into their collective history and present Moses as an example of someone worthy of trust. After all, Moses provided bread for Israel in the wilderness. They want Jesus to prove that he’s at least as legitimate or as powerful as Moses. “So the present party’s desire for “more” is a failure of trust; it is rude unbelief.” (Bruner, 396).
We often want more proof than what God has already done for us. Even after being miraculously fed, the crowd wants something more significant as a sign. Do we do the same thing when we want measures of “success” of a particular approach to church or ministry? The transformation of lives, the restoration of people, and the freedom from bondage in all forms seem to be insufficient indicators of God’s work in the world. We often have a difficult time simply trusting in God.
Again, Jesus isn’t shy in his response as he corrects the crowd’s collective memory. Jesus reminds the crowds that it was not Moses who gave them Mana, the bread from heaven; it was God the Father. Jesus does something interesting with the crowd’s question, though. Jesus turns the “gave,” past tense, into “gives,” which is the present and continues tense. As far as Jesus is concerned, God the Father has never stopped giving Israel the “true bread from heaven.” As we’ll see in a moment, God continues to give the bread of heaven, the bread that gives life to the world. Not only is Jesus greater than Moses, but the bread that Jesus gives is far superior.
Give Us This Bread Always!
Jesus’ response must have been persuasive because they suddenly accepted Jesus’ legitimacy, asking that they might receive the true bread from heaven. Giving the true bread from heaven is exactly what Jesus has come to do. In verse 35, we have the third “I am” saying from Jesus in John’s gospel. These “I am” sayings are important in John’s gospel. They point back to Moses and the burning bush. When Moses asks God by what name he should be called, God simply responds, “I am.” By using that particular phrase, Jesus emphatically asserts his status as God.
Jesus’ response here differs from the other as it adds a predicate object: “the bread of life.” If we translate the original language literally, Jesus says, “I, I am the bread of the life.” The speaker makes a rather specific claim whenever a definite article is used like this. Jesus is the bread of the life. He’s the only one who can be the bread of life. There are no other bread(s) of life. Similarly, “the life” signifies that there is only one “life” that can be truly understood as legitimate life: the life that God has given, continues to give, and will give for the rest of eternity. Jesus promises to give, always give them living bread, just like they request.
After Jesus’ self-revelatory statement, Jesus clarifies who can receive the bread of life. The eligibility rules are as wide and expansive as possible. Who is eligible? Whoever seeks Jesus. Whoever, as in everyone, all those who respond. There is no qualifier added. How do we receive this life-giving and sustaining bread? By simply coming to Jesus.
So What?
This passage challenges us to reflect on the nature of our pursuit of Jesus and what it means to truly believe in Him. Here are a few key takeaways:
Examining Our Motives
Like the crowd, we may follow Jesus for what we hope to receive: physical needs, emotional comfort, or social benefits. Jesus calls us to examine our motives and seek the "food that endures for eternal life," a deeper, spiritual nourishment that sustains us beyond our immediate desires.
Understanding Belief
Jesus simplifies the crowd's question about performing God's works to a singular call to believe in Him. This belief is not a mere intellectual assent but an active, living trust that shapes our actions and transforms our lives. It is a call to trust Jesus' process, even when it challenges our impatience or desire for control.
Responding to God's Grace
Our belief and trust in Jesus are responses to God's grace already given to us. It's a reminder that our relationship with God is founded on His initiative and love. The work we do, motivated by our belief, is a grateful response to this grace, not an attempt to earn it.
Seeking True Signs
Even after witnessing a miracle, the crowd’s demand for more signs mirrors our tendencies to seek additional proof of God's presence or blessings. Jesus redirects us to recognize the ongoing, continuous gift of God's provision—the "true bread from heaven." It challenges us to trust God's current and continuing work in our lives.
Jesus as the Bread of Life
Jesus' declaration as the "bread of life" invites us to find our ultimate satisfaction and sustenance in Him. This is a call to depend on Jesus for our deepest needs and to recognize that eternal life is found in a relationship with Him.
Inclusive Invitation
Jesus' offer of the bread of life is open to all—"whoever comes to me." This inclusivity encourages us to share the good news with everyone, knowing that all are invited to partake in Jesus’ life.
Reflecting on these points, we are called to deepen our trust in Jesus, allowing His life to transform and sustain us. As we pursue Him not just for what we can get but for who He is, we participate in the eternal, qualitative life He offers, a life marked by trust, gratitude, and an ongoing relationship with the living God.
Discussion Questions
Read the text aloud. Then, read the text to yourself quietly. Read it slowly, as if you were very unfamiliar with the story.
What stood out most about Jesus' interaction with the crowd in this passage?
How do you interpret Jesus' statement about working for "food that endures for eternal life"?
In what ways do you see people today seeking Jesus for immediate needs rather than for deeper spiritual fulfillment?
How do you personally relate to the idea of Jesus being the "bread of life"?
What does it mean to believe in Jesus as the one sent by God?
How can we ensure our faith in Jesus goes beyond intellectual belief to active trust and action?
Have you ever sought signs or proof of God's presence in your life? How did you handle it?
What does Jesus' inclusivity in offering the bread of life to "whoever comes" mean for how we share our faith and lives with others?
How can we cultivate a habit of seeking spiritual nourishment from Jesus in our daily lives?
What practical ways can we respond to God's grace with gratitude and trust in our everyday actions?
Works Cited
Frederick Dale Bruner, Matthew: A Commentary: The Churchbook, Matthew 13-28, Revised & enlarged edition (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing, 2004).
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