John Chapter 6
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John 6: The Bread of LifeThe Sign on the Mountain“After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee” (John 6:1, ESV). A great crowd follows because of the signs. Passover nears. Jesus climbs a mountain and sits with His disciples. Seeing the crowd, He asks Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” (John 6:5). Philip answers, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little” (John 6:7). Andrew notes a boy with five barley loaves and two fish, adding, “but what are they for so many?” (John 6:9).Jesus commands, “Have the people sit down” (John 6:10). About five thousand men sit. He takes the loaves, gives thanks, and distributes. The same with the fish. All eat as much as they want. He says, “Gather the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost” (John 6:12). Twelve baskets remain. The people declare, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” (John 6:14). Perceiving they intend to make Him king by force, Jesus withdraws alone to the mountain.Walking on the SeaEvening comes. The disciples go down to the sea, enter a boat, and head for Capernaum. Darkness falls; Jesus has not joined them. A strong wind arises; the sea grows rough. Rowing three or four miles, they see Jesus walking on the sea, drawing near. They are frightened. He says, “It is I; do not be afraid” (John 6:20). They receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat reaches the land.The Crowd Seeks AgainNext day the crowd, still on the other side, realizes one boat was there and Jesus had not entered with the disciples. Boats from Tiberias arrive. They go to Capernaum seeking Jesus. Finding Him, they ask, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” (John 6:25).The True BreadJesus answers, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me... because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life” (John 6:26-27). They ask, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” (John 6:28). He replies, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:29).They demand a sign, citing manna in the wilderness. Jesus corrects: “It was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven” (John 6:32). “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).The Father’s Drawing“I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me... For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 6:36-38). No one can come unless the Father draws him; Jesus will raise him on the last day (John 6:44).“I am the bread of life... This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die” (John 6:48-50). “If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh” (John 6:51).Eating and DrinkingThe Jews dispute: “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (John 6:52). Jesus intensifies: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53). Whoever feeds on His flesh and drinks His blood has eternal life; He will raise him up (John 6:54). “My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink” (John 6:55).Abiding and OffenseMany disciples say, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” (John 6:60). Jesus knows: “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?” (John 6:61-62). The Spirit gives life; the flesh is no help. Some disciples turn back and no longer walk with Him (John 6:66).Jesus asks the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” (John 6:67). Peter answers, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69). Jesus replies, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil” (John 6:70), speaking of Judas.