The Bread of Life

Jesus refers to himself as the bread of life. Out of all his titles, I find this one the least relevant. I need him to be the Lamb who was slain, the lion, my king, the endless spring of water in my life, the High Priest I confide in, the light for my path. But why the bread?

In all the other examples they all are necessities but bread is not. Some people have cut bread out of their diets to be healthier and some people can't eat it without getting sick. I know back when Jesus was walking the earth people didn't count their calories or have the same awareness about the food they ate that we do (then again do we even know what we are eating), but because I believe Jesus knows everything he should of known that eventually we would come to realize that bread isn't necessary.

As I read John Chapter 6, the whole picture starts to reveal itself. First you see that Jesus preforms this miraculous miracle feeding the 5000 with a boys lunch, then he is found walking on the water by the disciples. Once they get to the other side of Galilee, the crowd that was fed the bread on the previous side wants more of that bread that they miraculously received.

Jesus answered, "very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I preformed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the son of man will give you. For on him God the father has placed his seal of approval." John 6:26-27 NIV

After Jesus said this, it had the crowd thinking. Their focus changed from what they receive to how they can please God with offering him something. They ask Jesus "what must we do to do the work God requires?" John 6:28 NIV

Looking at their Question I cant help but notice that they changed from wanting to please themselves to now wanting to please God. Jesus' response is so perfectly simple that it is easy to over look.

"The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." John 6:29 NIV

To believe in Jesus. Thats it. There is a part of me that has a problem with this. It can't be that simple. Is this all we have to do to please God? Regardless of all of our other decisions in life? This is the one that pleases God. I'd be lying if I didn't have a problem with this. Our decisions should please God shouldn't they? I remember growing up and doing the little things for my parents pleased them, but even the little things I had to work at. How do I work at believing? I guess the problem I have with it is that it seems to be a one time moment. Can I really only please God once?

These Galileans wrestled with this answer that Jesus gave. I feel like they were thinking to themselves that if this really is the Messiah, how can we be certain. So they asked him, " What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" John 6:30-31 NIV

Sometimes I find myself judging these ancient Jews for being so foolish, but if I am honest, I probably would have asked the same question. Actually, I still do this. I challenge God with my doubt almost daily. If I really think about it, to believe in Jesus isn't as simple as I first might of thought.

If I said I believed in recycling, had statistics on why I believe in recycling, researched and supported different companies that have the same vision of recycling that I do, and despite all of this you witnessed me throw something in the garbage that could have been recycled, you'd see me as a hypocrite. To believe in something, no matter what it is, isn't just about stating that belief, but it is about backing that belief up with action.

Jesus answers the Jews question with what seems to be a rant. From verse 32-40 Jesus explains to them that the very bread they are referring to was not given to them by Moses but from God himself. Moses didn't provide bread for the Israelites, God provided.

Jesus continues his rant from 41-50 seeming to be frustrated that these listeners are not understanding that he is the Bread of Life. Thats it. The bread of life isn't a title about us needing Jesus like we need bread but rather a symbolic title of being provided to by God so we can have eternal life.

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of this world." John 6:51 NIV

After he said this, the crowd started arguing about what he just said. They couldn't comprehend this teaching. Half the crowd ended up deserting Jesus. What I find troubling, is we say we believe in Christ yet when I comes to verses like this, I either look at it as metaphorical with communion, or I don't take Jesus that seriously. If we feasted on him literally, we would be looked at as crazy.

As I ponded over this I found myself at the beginning of John's Gospel. I love how John introduces the Gospel.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that had been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5

Jesus is the Word. The Word is Jesus. What if he was being literal when telling us to eat his flesh. If believing is followed by action maybe our action by believing in Jesus Christ is by feasting on His Word. Not because we want to study, not because we want to unlock secrets, but because God has provided the gift of His Word so we can believe both by faith and by our works.