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JESUS, THE BREAD OF LIFE
You are what you eat !!!
John 6:27-40
Vs. 27-29 Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him has God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on (eis – unto) him whom He has sent.
Believe on in the Bible has the present day meaning of trust in. And you will never trust in something, or someone, you don’t know by personal experience.
I’ve met so many well-intentioned Christians who want to please God…..by their own works. Missionary trips, prayers, fastings, book readings, discussion groups, church services, witnessing, activities without end. (Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t say there is anything wrong with these activities). Yet they do not believe unto Jesus Christ. Oh, they believe in Jesus Christ, but they do not trust him. They do not lean on him, because they don’t know him. In other words, they have not believed unto him.
The first time the word “trust” is used in the Bible, Israel was going to battle the next day, and they spent the night before battle, praising God, dancing, playing music to rejoice in God. The next day, God delivered their enemy into their hands, because they trusted in Him. What you go to for a solution to your problems is what you trust in. You cannot fake trust. You cannot fool God and you cannot fool life.
Your mind, your parents, your bank account, worry, your psychologist, fear, religion, your pastor. Whatever you think will help you win the battle…..That is what you trust in. How many of us trust in Jesus Christ? Well, no matter where you’re at now….you can learn to trust and then grow in trust.
Vs. 30-33 They said therefore unto him, What sign do you then show, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you do? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven, and gives life unto the world.
Hey, they quoted Scripture to Jesus to prove their point! But Jesus, the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecy….the actual figure of that which was only shadow in the OT, the actual manifestation of the entire purpose of the Scriptures, he set them straight. He is the bread of God….. the food required in order to become spiritual….in order to become Godlike, in order to fulfill our intended purpose and design.
He gave life unto the world. All those who partake of that life become one with him. All those who reject him reject that life, and thus remain in their death. This is their choice, and we cannot take that choice away from them. But we can offer them that life, by offering Jesus Christ to them.
Interestingly, it doesn’t say that Jesus Christ gives us that bread from heaven…..rather, he is that bread from heaven. It is God, the Father, who gives Jesus Christ as spiritual food to and for the world.
Vs. 34-40 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That you also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will who has sent me, that of all who he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that every one who sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
The bread of life is the life-giving food of God to the world. Jesus Christ is the gift from God that gives life to whoever believes unto (trusts in) him. Buddhist? Muslim? Atheist? Democrat? Republican? Makes no difference. Believe unto Jesus, eat the bread of life, and you will be filled with the life of God.
Realize it is not the historical Jesus we are to seek, but rather the glorified Christ. (see study The Glorified Christ). The glorified Christ is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit which Jesus sent into the world after he was glorified.
John 7:39 (But this he spoke of the Spirit, which they who believe unto (eis) him should receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified).
John 16:7, 13, 14 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but when I depart, I will send him unto you. However, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, the will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
That is why our spiritual efforts need to be directed toward simply seeking Christ. We pursue Christ. We fellowship in Christ. We put on, talk about, listen about, desire, share about, want, need and cleave to Jesus Christ our Lord. All else – every other pursuit, influence, desire, priority, understanding, and effort – must be held up to the light of Christ, because in that light, everything is seen in truth.
In order to grow spiritually we must eat spiritually…..Jesus Christ is the bread of life.
Eat up, dear brethren…..eat up.
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Related studies:
Bearing Spiritual Fruit
Flavored by Christ
Pruned by God.
Fruitfulness in Christ – Colossians 1:1-15
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