35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. 37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40 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.”

John 6:35-40 (NLT)

Boatload of truths

There are quite a few truths in this short passage. These truths are foundational to our Christian faith and provide the hope we need for knowing we have eternal life. 1) Jesus is the source of life, eternal life. He’s the spiritual bread and water. 2) Only those who come to him and believe have this life and hope for the future. 3) The Father has predestined those to believe and Jesus will never reject them. 4) Jesus came  from Heaven to do the Father’s will. 5) Jesus will never lose any of his sheep. 6) Jesus will resurrect all that are his, all that the Father has given him, who come to him and believe in him. We’ll tackle one at a time over the next few days.

Source of life

What are two essentials for maintaining life? Food and water. What was the most basic food in the Middle East in Jesus’ time? Bread. Jesus combines two teachings: living water – woman at the well (John 4:7-14) and bread of life – this present teaching. He beckons his listeners (including us) to come to him for the bread of life, eternal life. Later in this chapter (John 6:53–57) Jesus will instruct that, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day”. At the last supper, he will reinforce this teaching (Matthew 26:26–28).  Click here for future teaching on this. 

Jesus also boldly proclaims that whoever believes in him will never thirst again; that is never have spiritual thirst. Let me give a poor analogy: Jesus is like a spiritual IV which constantly supplies our spirits with all that is needed for eternal life. He is the source of life.

<- Reflection ->

• In whom (or what) do you trust for eternal life? Have  you slipped back to trusting in yourself, your own works?