REVIEW

• In the book of Exodus God calls himself, “I AM.”
  • In calling himself, “I AM” he was saying that He is eternal, He is self-sufficient, and He is Holy, unlike anyone or anything else.
• The book of John contains 7 statements of Jesus where He calls himself, “I AM.”
  • Jesus does this to let us know that He is God, and then he does miracle after miracle to back those statements up.

“I AM the Bread of Life”

• Jesus had just finished feeding 5,000 men and their families with a little fish and bread.
• Jesus leaves with his disciples to the other side of the lake and the crowd follows him. Jesus confronts them for just wanting another free meal, instead of recognizing what his miracles are for, to validate Jesus’ claim that He is God. (John 6:26-27)
• Jesus tells them to spend their life working for things that have eternal significance.
  • The crowd asks what work God requires. (John 6:28)
  • This makes sense because the religious leaders of the time, especially the Pharisees, had made the concept of being right with God about following rules
  • It’s normal for us to want to earn our salvation, but Jesus tells us all you have to do is believe in the One God sends – Jesus! (John 6:29)
• The crowd asks Jesus for a sign to believe in him. (John 6:30-31)
  • It’s easy for us to condemn the Jews, but we do the same thing with God. We chase physical needs and desires above spiritual nourishment.
• Jesus tells the people what is important and where it comes from – the “bread of God.” (John 6:32-34)
  • Unfortunately, the people are still focused on physical food and miss what Jesus is saying. He then declares, “I AM the Bread of Life.” (John 6:35)
    • Jews would never string these two words together, “I AM” for they were reserved for God alone. Jesus is claiming to be God!
    • Jesus is also telling them that He is essential for true life here on earth. He is not only the way to eternal life; He is the way to the best life now!
  • This passage also points to some things Jesus has said previously.
    • Jesus adds “never thirst” to the concept of “never go hungry.”
  • Jesus has used this metaphor of living water before in John 4
    • Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well. After telling her things about her life that He could only know through supernatural means, He tells her that He can offer her living water that leads to eternal life.
    • While she goes to tell the rest of the town about Jesus, the disciples return with food. When they offer him some he states, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” He goes on to explain that doing the Father’s will is spiritual nourishment. Doing the Father’s will has to do with bringing in the “harvest” of souls God wants in the Kingdom with him. (John 4:31-38)
    • Many believe God invites us on the mission because he needs us. Jesus tells us that being a part of the mission is actually spiritual nourishment for us.
    • At the end of the story of the woman at the well, we see many Samaritans putting their faith in Christ. This is a stark contrast to the crowds of Jews in John 6 looking for free food. God’s “Kingdom” invitation is for everyone!
  • After Jesus does everything He can to get them to understand He makes a statement that separates the true followers from those with selfish purposes. (John 6:41-50)

John 6:53-54 (NIV)  Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴ Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

• Jesus was talking about his death. He was talking about giving his body and blood in exchange for our sin. We call it the Great Exchange.
• This metaphor has some important meanings:

1) You must have an appetite for Christ. Do we hunger and thirst for him?

2) Food just looked at doesn’t do us any good. We have to take and eat in order for it to nourish us. Are we just a fan, or a follower of Jesus?

3) Food and drink is delightful to us, so should our relationship with Jesus

• Jesus asked his disciples if they will leave him like many in the crowd had. Peter responds, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
  • This is the correct response for all who accept, “I AM the Bread of Life.”

For Small Group Discussion: What did you hear that was new or challenging from the message this weekend?

Opening Question: Why are you following Jesus?

Main Point: Jesus is essential for life. As bread sustains physical life, so Christ offers and sustains spiritual life.

Main Scripture: John 6:25-51

Questions:

Head

• What does Jesus mean by saying that He is the bread of life?
• What were the people looking for? Why were they following Him?

Heart

• Describe a time in your life when you attempted to survive off of worldly sustenance.
• How has Jesus sustained you?

Hands

• What is tempting for you to put your trust in rather than trusting in God?
• What helps you to maintain trust in God and dependence on Him?

Additional Scripture: Luke 22:19, Deuteronomy 8:3, 1 Corinthians 10:4

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