The people are eager and looking for Jesus. They figure out a way to find him. What are their motives? Jesus suggests they want more food or to see him do something else amazing. Instead, they request to learn how to do amazing things, too. Jesus’ counsel to them is simple. He told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” I’m not sure that’s the answer they were expecting, certainly not hoping for.
If that is our message today, as well, it’s simple yet very difficult. We need to believe in someone we have not seen. The people Jesus was speaking to directly had seen him. He was in their presence. Yet, what was their response? They asked to see more. They fondly remembered their hero, Moses who had fed manna to their ancestors. But this was bread from heaven supplied by God, not Moses. They got the story a little mixed up.
Speaking of bread, Jesus told them he was the “true bread”. These may or may not be familiar words, let them resonate with you for a few minutes. See what images to come to mind. “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
Jesus had come to do his Father’s will and knew it would not be easy. Further, he tells them, “For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” God loved us all that much he wanted us to live with him for eternity. Jesus was clear on his mission.
However, Jesus’ words rocked these people’s world. After all, this was Joseph’s son, how could he be talking about such things? It was all very perplexing. Jesus alludes to our practice of Holy Communion when he says, “Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.” Such a beautiful promise. Jesus remains in us. Yet, our crowd of people was thinking in literal terms. People didn’t eat each other’s flesh. That was absurd.
Jesus was bound to ruffle feathers, and he didn’t care. We shouldn’t care either when we set out on our quest to find people who need to return to the Lord. Jesus even tells us that “no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.” Again, he says the phrase “raise them up.” And here, it gives God credit for putting it in our heart to be drawn to Jesus. Our work shouldn’t be as hard because God has laid the ground work.
People often think it’s their choice to follow and be saved. That isn’t the whole truth. God has the most active role in salvation. When someone “chooses” to be a follower, it is only because God (the Holy Spirit) has filled them with the notion in the first place. In other words, nobody can believe in God without God’s help.
Minds were blown that day. Perhaps you are also having a hard time grasping the true meaning of Jesus being the bread of life. In Jesus, we have everything we need to never starve spiritually again. We can respond to the urging God has placed in our heart. We are needed in the kingdom. Are you ready to listen to the urging and accept the gift of eternal life?
Let’s pray. Lord, I come to you filled and refreshed by your Word. You are the bread of life, and I will not be hungry again. I need to rest in you and your promises. Use me so that others will see and recognize how you are urging them back into the fold. Thank you for that privilege. Make me a servant, humble and true. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
