Sunday 4 August 2024
They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” (v. 34)
Background
Chapter 6 of John's Gospel began with the feeding of the 5000 (vs 1-14), after which the crowd wanted to make Jesus king, but he eluded them (v. 15). Then the disciples travelled by boat across the Sea of Galilee back to Capernaum, experiencing the drama of a storm and of Jesus walking on the water en route (vs 16-21). The crowd, no doubt still reliving the excitement of the previous day’s unexpected feast, became somewhat confused. They had seen the disciples leave by boat and they knew that Jesus wasn’t in it, so when some more boats appeared, they took the opportunity to get into the boats and cross the lake themselves (vs 22-24). Finally, in our passage, they find Jesus and ask a series of questions, ranging from the practical matter of how he got there to deeper questions about signs and the work of God.
It is interesting to look at the answers Jesus gives to these questions. In each answer, Jesus is trying to help the crowd notice his significance. He says: "work…for the food…which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal" (v. 27); "believe in him whom he [God] has sent" (v. 29); "it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven" (v 32).
Finally they respond with an appetite for something more than physical satisfaction, "Sir, give us this bread always" (v. 34), which is a response similar to that of the woman at the well in John 4:15. Jesus’ reply is direct and vivid, "I am the bread of life". He follows this by saying receiving and believing in him will put an end to hunger and thirst.
Sadly, if we were to read on, we would note that it’s not as simple as it sounds. While the crowd may respond with enthusiasm, the religious leaders have more questions, debates, doubts and difficulties and by verse 60 even the disciples exclaim, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?"
Jesus refers to the preceding miracles as ‘signs’, a word frequently used by John, sometimes to denote specific incidents that point to the true identity of Jesus. (See also John 2:1-12; 4:46-54.) It is the ‘signs’ Jesus performs which make people question who he is and where his power comes from.
To Ponder:
- Is there something in this series of questions and answers that challenges you about the way your life points to the significance of Jesus (or doesn’t)?
- What is your response to Jesus’ words, "I am the bread of life"?
- What are the signs you notice today that demonstrate who Jesus is?
Prayer
"Lord, give us this bread always."
Bible notes author: Jill Baker
Jill is glad to be part of the small Methodist Church in Scotland. She is a local preacher and tutor in the Strathclyde Circuit, and lives in Glasgow.