“I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and He that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35
Over and over again, in the Lord Jesus’ treatment of the subject of Him being the bread of life, He brings to the forefront of one’s consideration that it was bread “from heaven.” (Jn. 6:32) What does this mean? The bread’s origin is not of this earth, nor of this creation. It is an eternal Bread, one that does not decay, diminish in its essence, nor change in its capacity and power to give Life, the very eternal Life of God. The origin and nature of this Bread warrants close attention and consideration, for our true perspective of it will determine in great part, how we appropriate the bread, or “eat” the bread, making it our own. Also, it is according to the vision of the truth of this Bread that we discover the life-giving properties of it as it is applied to the souls of men. And lastly, we need to see that this bread from heaven has come to earth, so that all men should partake of it and live. It was not given by the Father so that just a few should be partakers of it, nor that believers should just take a small portion of it. The calling of God is a calling to fulness in Christ, so that Christ should be appropriated by faith fully in the life. From receiving the knowledge of the will of God fully, to the fullness of the Spirit, the believer is to appropriate Christ in His fulness for every need. So then, what is our vision of this life-giving bread?
As we have already seen, it is “…true bread from heaven,” given by the Father. (Jn. 6:32) Note that it is TRUE. Just as the Lord Jesus would later declare that He IS the truth, so this bread is in no way anything less than authentically Divine, and thus, possessing all the qualities of the Divine Nature. Secondly, God chose this picture of “bread” for a purpose. Not only is bread essential for life, but it is that means by which nourishment and strength are communicated to the one partaking of it. Also, we see very clearly the progression unveiled to us of God’s means of partaking of the bread. There is first the revealtion of the true identity of the bread, and its Divine nature. Secondly, there is the revelation that it has been sent from heaven, so that all men might partake of it, “eating” it, making it one’s own. And thirdly, this bread can only be spiritually true and known in the life if the believer takes the bread by faith, receives it by faith, and make’s it his own, BY FAITH. That faith has its basis in the faithfulness of God, as revealed by the words of the Lord Jesus. Where then does one even begin to partake of this bread?
There were those who heard the Lord’s words concerning the bread, who asked Him, “Lord, evermore give us this bread.” (6:34) Jesus’ response was very clear and straightforward. He first identifies Himself as the “bread of life,” by stating: “I am the bread of life.” (v.35) He then says that the one who “comes” to Him, being hungry, desirous and willing to partake of this bread, “…shall never hunger. There is first the revelation of Who Christ truly is, as the bread of life. And then, as God works in the life to create a hunger for the truth, specifically, for Life eternal, the Lord’s bidding is to come directly to Him. But coming to him involves truly believing in Him, for the Lord adds, “…and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” Faith is essential to come, truly believe, and then to receive. However, one cannot truly receive unless one has truly believed that He IS the Son of God.
There is a great promise in coming to Christ. It is that He will, “…in no wise” cast the seeker out.
Dear Father, Fill us with Life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.