The Bread of Life
The first of the I AM statements in John.
There seem to be a number of symmetries in the gospel of John. We’ve already noted the seven signs, but today we come to the first of seven I AM statements. Jesus has already said, I AM… a couple of times at this point in the book (in reference to his messiahship, etc.). But scholars note that Jesus uses the divine name, I AM, seven times in John, each paired with an image—like a vine or shepherd—to illustrate his role.
Today, to begin, he is the bread of life. This is in the midst of some back-and-forth conversation with the crowd, fascinated by his most recent public sign (feeding thousands of people with a little bit of food) as well of a kind of disappearing act. He begins to challenge the crowd about their intent and what it really means to be a disciple. It will get even more difficult later in this chapter, but he is setting the stage.
John 6:22-42
The next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the lake realized that only one boat had been there. They knew Jesus hadn’t gone with his disciples, but that the disciples had gone alone. Some boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they had eaten the bread over which the Lord had given thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
Jesus replied, “I assure you that you are looking for me not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate all the food you wanted. Don’t work for the food that doesn’t last but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Human One will give you. God the Father has confirmed him as his agent to give life.”
They asked, “What must we do in order to accomplish what God requires?”
Jesus replied, “This is what God requires, that you believe in him whom God sent.”
They asked, “What miraculous sign will you do, that we can see and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, just as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
Jesus told them, “I assure you, it wasn’t Moses who gave the bread from heaven to you, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. The bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
They said, “Sir, give us this bread all the time!”
Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I told you that you have seen me and still don’t believe. Everyone whom the Father gives to me will come to me, and I won’t send away anyone who comes to me. I have come down from heaven not to do my will, but the will of him who sent me. This is the will of the one who sent me, that I won’t lose anything he has given me, but I will raise it up at the last day. This is my Father’s will: that all who see the Son and believe in him will have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
The Jewish opposition grumbled about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”
They asked, “Isn’t this Jesus, Joseph’s son, whose mother and father we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”
Psalm 78:23-25
God gave orders to the skies above, opened heaven’s doors, and rained manna on them so they could eat. He gave them the very grain of heaven! Each person ate the bread of the powerful ones; God sent provisions to satisfy them.
Prayer
God,
As I reflect on Jesus, the bread of life, help me to go beyond what he provides and recognize who he is—your presence with us, the one who gives life that truly satisfies.
Too often, I follow you for the wrong reasons. I make you in my own image. It’s not that my desires cannot or do not overlap with yours, but I don’t want to make you out as a vending machine. In particular, help me with the whole power thing.
We chase after comfort, answers, or blessings, but miss the higher invitation to know you deeply and live transformed lives. Forgive me when I reduce belief to mental assent or lip service, rather than letting it shape the heart and guide my actions.
With Sunday’s arrival, prepare us to worship you in spirit and truth. May we not simply receive the bread you provide but learn to share it with others. Teach us to embody belief through love, service, and surrender. Transform us from the inside out so that our lives reflect the beauty of your kingdom.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.