I Am the Bread of Life

December 28, 2025

Theological Summary

Key insights and takeaways from the text.

This profound passage from John 6 unveils Jesus' identity as the essential spiritual sustenance, contrasting the fleeting satisfaction of physical bread with the enduring life found in Him. The crowd, having recently witnessed the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, seeks Jesus again, primarily driven by their desire for more physical provision. Jesus, however, deftly redirects their focus, challenging them to 'not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life.' This sets the stage for His monumental declaration: He is the 'Bread of Life,' the true sustenance for the soul, a stark contrast to the manna their ancestors ate, which merely sustained physical life in the wilderness. The central message is an invitation to shift our pursuit from perishable earthly goods to the imperishable spiritual life offered through Him. Key theological concepts abound in this exchange. Jesus' declaration, 'I am the bread of life,' is one of His seven 'I AM' statements in John, asserting His divine nature and unique capacity to provide spiritual nourishment. He is not merely a prophet or a provider of miracles, but the very source of eternal life, sent by God the Father. This speaks directly to the identity of Christ as the unique Son of God, authenticated by the Father's 'seal of approval.' Furthermore, Jesus clarifies that the 'work of God' is not a series of religious rituals or good deeds, but fundamentally 'to believe in the one he has sent.' This emphasizes salvation by grace through faith, highlighting that our spiritual sustenance comes from trusting in Him, not from our own efforts or merits. The mission of Christ is clearly defined: He came down from heaven to do the Father's will, which is to give eternal life to all who look to Him and believe, ensuring that none of those the Father gives Him will be lost, but will be raised up on the last day. The practical application for believers today is transformative. We are called to examine our own priorities: are we primarily seeking temporal satisfaction or eternal sustenance? Just as physical bread sustains the body, Jesus alone sustains the soul. This passage encourages us to daily 'feed' on Christ through His Word, prayer, and communion, finding our ultimate satisfaction, security, and hope in Him. It calls for a reorientation of our daily 'work'—from striving for earthly gain to cultivating a deep, abiding faith in Jesus. Knowing that 'all those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away,' offers immense assurance and comfort, reminding us of God's unwavering faithfulness and His sovereign plan for our salvation. Ultimately, this passage profoundly reveals the character and work of God. It points to God as the benevolent Provider, not only of physical necessities but, more importantly, of the spiritual sustenance that leads to eternal life. It highlights God's immense love for humanity, demonstrating His desire for all to have eternal life through His Son. The Father's will, executed perfectly by Jesus, underscores God's purposeful and salvific plan. God's unwavering commitment to His children is evident in Jesus' promise that He will lose none whom the Father has given Him, affirming God's power to preserve and raise us up on the last day. Through Jesus, the 'Bread of Life,' we encounter a God who is faithful, gracious, and eternally committed to our spiritual well-being.

Scripture

John 6:22-40

Old Testament Connections

Exodus 16:4 (NIV)
"Then the Lord said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.""

Exodus 16:4 describes the miraculous provision of manna, a physical 'bread from heaven,' which foreshadows Jesus' declaration in John 6:22-40 that he is the 'true bread from heaven' who offers eternal life, fulfilling and transcending the temporary sustenance provided by the manna.

Deuteronomy 8:3 (NIV)
"He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

Deuteronomy 8:3 teaches that human life ultimately depends on God's word, not just physical bread. John 6:22-40 fulfills this concept by presenting Jesus as the "bread of life," the true spiritual sustenance from heaven that provides eternal life, surpassing the temporary manna given in the wilderness.

A Moment of Prayer

A prayer inspired by today's topic.

Lord Jesus, you declared yourself the Bread of Life, and we truly need you. Our souls hunger for your truth and your sustaining grace daily. Please feed us, Father, with your living word and your very presence. May we never seek nourishment elsewhere, but always find our fullness in you. Amen.

Historical Context

The world behind the Word.

The Gospel of John, from which John 6:22-40 is taken, is traditionally attributed to John, the son of Zebedee, one of Jesus's twelve apostles. However, many contemporary scholars suggest the Gospel emerged from a Johannine community or school, likely building upon the eyewitness testimony of John. This community, potentially based in Ephesus or Syria, aimed to present Jesus as the divine Son of God, the pre-existent Word (Logos), and to evoke profound belief in him. The intended audience appears to be a mixed group of Hellenistic Jews and Gentiles, sophisticated enough to grasp theological depth and engage with a distinct portrayal of Jesus that emphasizes his divine nature through unique discourses and a selective presentation of 'signs' (miracles). The theological richness and developed Christology suggest a mature Christian community grappling with its identity in relation to both Judaism and the wider Hellenistic world. The date of composition for the Gospel of John is generally placed late in the first century or even early second century, typically between AD 90 and 110. This makes it the last of the four canonical Gospels to be written. This later date allowed for a more profound theological reflection on Jesus's life, teachings, and significance, likely in response to evolving theological questions within early Christian communities and ongoing debates with Jewish synagogues. By this time, the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed (AD 70), a cataclysmic event that reshaped Jewish identity and further distinguished the nascent Christian movement. At the time of Jesus's ministry (around AD 30-33), Galilee, where the events of John 6 transpire, was under the rule of Herod Antipas, a Roman client king. Judea was directly governed by Roman prefects like Pontius Pilate. This meant high taxes, the presence of Roman soldiers, and a simmering resentment among the Jewish population, many of whom harbored messianic hopes for a political deliverer who would overthrow Roman oppression. The crowd's initial attempt to make Jesus king after the feeding miracle (John 6:15, preceding this passage) underscores these socio-political expectations. By the time John's Gospel was written, direct Roman rule over the Jewish homeland was firmly established, and the earlier Jewish revolts against Rome had been brutally suppressed. This context of foreign domination and political instability often shaped the populace's interpretation of prophecies and messianic figures. Culturally and religiously, Jewish traditions were paramount. The crowd's reference to

Sermons
2 Found

John 6 (Part 3) :22–47 • “I am the Bread of Life”

Through the Bible with Pastor Paul

John 6:22-40, All The Wrong Reasons

Calvary South Denver