John 6 - Every Man's Bible

6:1-15  It is interesting that Jesus often used people as channels of his grace. In feeding 5,000 people, Jesus used what was provided by a young boy. 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 miracles for us and others. God can take our limited resources and multiply them beyond our wildest expectations.

6:28-29  What does God want us to do? That question has plagued the human race ever since the first sins by Adam and Eve. Many of us live by a list of “shoulds” and “shouldn’ts” in our effort to earn God’s acceptance. The good news is that we don’t have to do anything to receive God’s help and forgiveness! God in Jesus Christ has taken all the initiative; we simply receive him by faith. Each step of our growth begins as we respond to God’s love for us.

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. He satisfies the deepest longings of our souls and fulfills our needs. Until the end of time, Jesus will work toward the redemption 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’ imagery of human flesh and blood is jarring for most of us. 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. As one of us, Jesus understands our temptations and struggles in this life. Jesus’ mention of his blood anticipated his death on the cross—in our place, for our sins. The call to partake of his flesh and blood was a call to make him and his teachings more than just an intellectual activity. We are called to make Jesus the very center of our being—emotional, spiritual, and physical. As we feed our bodies with food, we are to feed our souls with the spiritual reality represented by the body and blood of Christ.

6:68-69  Many sales pitches for enticing products assault us daily. Lottery games, television specials, political causes, religious gurus—they all call for our time, money, and devotion. They promise to give us what we all 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. He alone can deliver us from powerful sins that entangle us; he alone deserves our total commitment.