30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Mary Hong

In this chapter we have been learning about Jesus’ ministry and the miraculous signs that He has been doing, which have led to crowds following Him wherever he goes. We heard how Jesus fed five thousand with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes on the far side of the lake, then crossed back to Capernaum the next morning. It was not long before the crowds come looking for Him again. In yesterday’s passage, Jesus questioned them to show that the reason they came to look for Him was not because they saw the meaning of the signs, but for bread to be physically full and satisfied.

So Jesus said to them: “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.” (v27)

When the crowd hears this, in today’s passage, they yet again ask Jesus for a sign: “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?” (v30) Once again, this does not show their faith, but their blindness. They ask for a sign despite witnessing the miracles Jesus had performed the day before.

But Jesus does not answer harshly. He responds by telling them they need to ask for the true bread which comes from heaven: “For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (v33).

Not surprisingly, the crowd ask Jesus to give them this bread, but they still don’t understand. Jesus knew that they were not aware the Messiah had already come. So Jesus responded with a clear statement of who he is and what he offers: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (v35)

However, they still refuse to see and believe Him as the Messiah (v36).

As I reflect on my testimony and the early days when I was finding out more about Jesus, I realise that I can relate to the people in the crowds. In fact, I admit that I would have probably been like them, just coming along for a free meal. I recall making excuses because I was reluctant to accept the truth.

Friends, as you reflect on this passage, be reminded that we need faith in Jesus just as much as we need bread. Just as our physical bodies need to be fed, so too do we need to be spiritually fed. Jesus came to be the bread of life that truly satisfies so that we will never hunger and thirst again. I pray we always remain faithful and thankful for the life we have in Christ Jesus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.