Slices
Prepare
Imagine a loaf of freshly baked bread: the smell, the taste, the texture. As fresh bread satisfies so much of our human need, Jesus satisfies our spiritual need. What are you hungry for?
Bible passage
Jesus the bread of life
25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, ‘Rabbi, when did you get here?’
26 Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 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.’
28 Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’
29 Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’
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. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.’
Explore
I like to bake my own bread. But before baking, the dough needs to rest. This is called proving. Today’s passage is also about bread and proving, but not quite in the same way.
Although Jesus has fed thousands from a pittance, the Jewish leaders remain suspicious of him. Prove yourself. Show us some evidence (v 30). Moses gave us manna from heaven: what can you do? They want to fit Jesus into their understanding of Israel’s story. Is Jesus another prophet? Is he a second Moses? Do we also try to make Jesus fit into our own worldview?
Jesus won’t allow himself to be put in a box. Instead, he declares that he is the fulfilment of Israel’s history and hopes. ‘I am the bread of life,’ (v 48) he says – I am the One who brings you life. He has already shown how he can provide heavenly food, but that was simply a sign to show that he is the heavenly food. He is the One who nourishes us with eternal life (v 58). He is the One who will raise up all those who believe in him.
Respond
If you had a friend who was hungry, you would give them food to eat. What will you give a friend who is spiritually hungry? How can you point them to the bread of life?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Chronicles 22,23; Galatians 2
Pray for Scripture Union
Jack Newbould, one of our Mission Enablers in Wales, is looking forward to supporting churches as they reach the 95 through mission events in their communities this summer and training some young leaders. Pray for these churches in South Wales as they explore these options.
