John 6 - The Life Recovery Bible

6:1-15 Jesus often used people as channels of his grace. In feeding 5,000 hungry men (plus women and children), Jesus used a young boy’s provisions. In effecting our recovery—or others’ recovery—God allows us to have a part in what he does. When we willingly dedicate our own small resources—time, talents, or possessions—to God, he can work a miracle of recovery for us and others. God can take our limited resources and multiply them beyond our wildest expectations.

6:16-21 It was a dark and stormy night on Lake Galilee. The disciples were cold, wet, and exhausted from rowing almost four miles in storm-tossed waters. They had been impatient and left safe shores without Jesus, but he came to their rescue anyway—walking on the stormy sea toward their boat! When Jesus got in the boat, he brought them safely to shore. We would be wise to stay with Jesus and his plan for us. Going off on our own will inevitably lead us into some stormy situations. When we leave Jesus behind, however, he will still rescue us if we look to him for help.

6:32-40 After feeding more than 5,000 hungry people with five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus explained that he himself was the bread of life. Jesus feeds the hungry with himself. His is a perfect love that never rejects us, no matter what our past sins are. He satisfies the deepest hungers of our soul and wants to help us complete our recovery. Until the end of time, Jesus will work toward the healing and recovery of all the broken people in his world. Our part is to turn to him and believe in his power to help us.

6:53-58 Jesus’ words here are jarring. In saying we need to eat his flesh and drink his blood to have eternal life, Jesus offended many people, but he made some important points. Jesus’ flesh reminds us that he was fully human so he understands our temptations and struggles. Jesus’ mention of his blood anticipated his death on the cross—in our place, for our sins. To “eat” his flesh and “drink” his blood was a call to make him and his teachings our very life, not just an intellectual activity. We are to make Jesus the core of our being—emotional, spiritual, and physical. As we feed our body with food, we are to feed our soul with the spiritual reality represented by the body and blood of Christ.

6:68-69 Sales pitches for enticing products assault us daily. Publishers’ sweepstakes, lottery games, television specials, political causes, religious gurus all call for our time, money, and devotion. They promise to give us what we need and desire. When all is said and done, however, we are left with Peter’s question, “Lord, to whom would we go?” Jesus is the answer to our every need—including recovery. He alone can deliver us from our powerful addiction or compulsion. He alone deserves our total commitment.