The Bread of Life Part 2
Opening Prayer
The Bread of Life-A Radical Invitation
In John 6, Jesus goes beyond meeting physical needs and offers Himself as the true Bread from heaven. His words challenge every crowd, every tradition, and every heart: Will you receive Me as your life?
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh."
Familiarity or Faith?
The crowd thought they knew Jesus-His family, His background. But knowing about Him wasn't enough. Jesus invited them (and us) to move from familiarity to real faith.
"Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, 'I am the bread that came down from heaven.' They said, 'Isn't this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, "I came down from heaven"?'"
Drawn by Grace-Responding with Faith
Jesus reminds us that no one comes to Him by their own power; it's God's loving initiative. Yet we must also respond by listening, learning, and believing.
"For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me... Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me."
Belief Brings Life
Faith in Jesus isn't complicated: Anyone who believes has eternal life. The invitation is wide open. Jesus alone is the Bread of Life-the source of forgiveness, hope, and everlasting satisfaction.
"I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life!"
The Manna Analogy & The Hammer Verse
The manna in the wilderness was just a shadow of something greater. Jesus is the true bread, given for the world. He shocks the crowd with a direct claim:
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh."
Eternal life isn't about tradition, effort, or history-it's about personally receiving Jesus' sacrificial death as your source of life.
The Crisis Point-Faith or Offense?
Many argued and stumbled over Jesus' words. The invitation became a dividing line-will you receive Christ as He offers Himself, or turn away?
"So Jesus said again, 'I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.'"
Living Relationship, Lasting Life
Jesus offers more than a one-time decision-He invites us into a daily, dependent relationship. As we feed on Him by faith, His life becomes our life.
"I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me."
Will You Receive the Bread of Life?
Jesus concludes: "I am the true bread… Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did… but will live forever." (John 6:58)
- Are you seeking Jesus for what He gives, or for who He is?
- Have you truly received Christ, letting His life become your own?
- What are you trusting in, instead of Jesus alone?
- Will you abide in Christ daily, feeding on His life and letting Him sustain you?
Lord Jesus, I believe You are the true Bread from heaven. I receive Your life into mine-make me new, fill me, and help me abide in You every day. Thank You for the promise of eternal life. Amen.