Jesus, Bread of Life

John 6:35-40

Introduction

1.      I began attending services at the church of Christ because of a girl; I stayed because of a message

2.      I began attending every service for reasons that are no longer clear; I continue because I believe in what we are doing and for whom we are doing it

3.      The reasons 12 men began following Jesus are not clear, but the reasons that they stayed are made very clear by the stories that are told in the Bible

4.      John 6 is an important part of our understanding about why they stayed with Jesus  

Discussion

1.      The setting for this passage of Scripture

a.       John has placed this passage after Jesus’ teaching on life and judgment  

b.      Jesus’ teaching on the “bread of life” follows his feeding of 5000 people with 5 loaves and two fish  

c.       For the disciples, the teaching follows Jesus’ walking on water  

2.      Jesus’ teaching in Capernaum after feeding 5000

a.       Jesus attributes their motives in seeking him to a desire to satisfy their wants  

b.      They are encouraged to seek faith rather than food  

c.       They respond with the story of the manna  

d.      Jesus compares the results of eating manna with the results of “eating” him  

e.       If all one sees in this story is a lesson about eating (manna or communion) they have missed the point (see verse 63) – compare Deut 8:3  

3.      The response to the words of Jesus

a.       Some contend that they left because they did not understand; others contend they left because they did understand – what is important is that they left  

b.      What is equally important is that the disciples remained – and they understood – verse 68  

Conclusion

1.       Some people accept Jesus because they want to be saved

2.      Some people accept Jesus because they want help with the problems of living in this world

3.      Some people accept Jesus because he is the Son of God, the king