This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51). The first of the “I am” statements of Jesus, which solidify His nature as fully God and fully man is “I am the bread of life,” which describes the way we find full satisfaction in and through Christ alone. She earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University but stepped out of the business world to stay at home and raise her two daughters. The Israelites in the desert were required to trust God daily for manna, their literal daily bread. Definition: The Bread of Life is the spiritual food needed by man. Their understanding of exactly what He meant, however, was divinely appointed. Without His death, no one else can live. Joh 6:35 Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life. Without the bread of life man cannot live spiritually. Jesus had worked a miracle of multiplying the loaves and fishes. Jesus, The Bread of Life, fully satisfies our every hunger. Msgr. WORDS OF JESUS IN RED. “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. There is a simple literal interpretation of this phrase, which is - the food that we require for physical sustenance. The next day, some of these people looked for Jesus. “Do not labor for the food which perishes,” Jesus told them, “but for the food which endures to everlasting life.” (John 6:27) These statements are unique to John and in many ways encapsulate the … NIV Application Commentary, Gary M. Burge, 2000. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. Send feedback to us at oursunvis@osv.com, Msgr. Salem Media Group. In this lesson, we will look at Jesus as the bread of life. Jesus was telling them that he came to give his life so that they could have everlasting life -- … Charles Pope is the pastor of Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian in Washington, D.C., and writes for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. at. This important note of Scripture defines our need to trust the Living Word to satisfy our physical bodies, heart and soul. It is rarely used in that way though and is most often use figuratively to mean the spiritual food needed for a full life. He who heals every ailment and provides for every need will be faithful. No play on words intended. #2 “‘I am the bread of life.’” Jesus is the life-giving sustenance that we need if we are to live and not die. John also recorded Jesus words: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Because of this and his glorified humanity, his bodily presence is more perfectly present so that even in the smallest visible fragment of the host, the whole Christ is present. But as it is, his bodily presence in the host is far more glorious than that understanding implies. Not only is God Provider for our physical needs, but His Word made flesh satisfies the needs of our souls. After some back and forth with them Jesus says, as if in frustration, “I AM the bread!” He then warns them against pining for food that perishes (ordinary bread) and to desire the true and living bread he wants to give them — namely, his very self. Jesus is imploring believers to put full confidence in Him, trusting He will provide wisdom that leads to true satisfaction. God is our Provider, and Jesus is the Bread of Life. Especially in the light of Passover, He knew the Jewish leaders and God’s people would understand His reference to bread. Question: I recall a question you were asked some time ago where you said we are as much eating the flesh and blood of Jesus as partaking in the glorified body of Jesus. “As the people yearned for the heavenly bread and as the rabbis reinterpreted this bread to mean the wisdom or life-sustaining presence of God,” the NIV Application Commentary explains, “so now Jesus is that precious gift.”. In this text, John records Jesus explaining He is the Bread of Life, the very Word of God made flesh. The use of the term “corporeal” refers to the fact that his body and blood are really and truly present in the blessed sacrament. Christ took on human skin and was crucified to eliminate the separation between God and His people. The old English proverb that “bread is the staff of life” is never truer than when it is used to refer to Jesus. For example, St. Paul writes: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ as an author, freelance writer, and blogger at Sunny&80. A name used by Christians to denote Jesus Christ. The day before Jesus said, “I am the bread of life,” he multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish to feed 5,000 people. Prior to his resurrection, Christ’s natural body — even though hypostatically united to his divine person — did not, of its nature, possess the ability to be everywhere. Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. He lost many followers as He spoke on this subject. Jesus had worked a miracle of multiplying the loaves and fishes. Our faith is anchored in grace, requiring no legalistic accolades or accomplishments. The Living Bread From Heaven : In the time of Jesus, bread was the staff of life. The Greek root of the word bread refers specifically to the manna in the desert, but also to food of any kind. And his humanity is glorified. He who believes in me will never thirst” (John 6:35; he repeats himself in verses 48 and 51). John recorded Jesus’ promise that all who freely accept this bread will no longer hunger. Those who come to Him will never again be hungry. Did you enjoy this article? First of all, Christ is living, not dead. Key Verse “I am the bread of life… And now, some of them are pursuing Jesus and want more free bread. Just as physically man needs to eat in order to live, … To say that we receive the glorified body of Christ indicates a number of things. No one comes to the Father but through Him. Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. He is the only way to the Father. “I am the bread of life. Here is the main point: Jesus did not come into the world mainly to give bread, but to be bread. The Greek word used to describe the eating of the bread “uses the Greek aorist tense: It is a singular event, a decision to believe and appropriate the gift of eternal life” (NIV Application Commentary). “I am the bread of life” is the first of the seven “I am” statements in John’s Gospel. I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. – John 6:35 When Jesus told His followers that He was the bread of life, He was giving them a solution—not just for their physical hunger but also for their … Jesus spoke in terms, parables, and analogies most could understand. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you” (John 6:27). Her first book, “Friends with Everyone,”  is available on amazon.com. Perhaps no food comes in as many varieties as bread, known as the staff of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. Unfortunately they were coming to Jesus looking for food that would leave them hungry again. But, Jesus says in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life.” That’s fodder for the other side. The NIV Application Commentary explains, “the idea is not about Jesus’ welcoming people, but about Jesus’ welcoming people whom the Father has given into his care.”. The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Cor 10:16). The first of the “I am” statements of Jesus, which solidify His nature as fully God and fully man is “I am the bread of life,” which describes the way we find full satisfaction in and through Christ alone. Jewish leaders also referred to bread, or manna, as spiritual food. Recall, too, the context of these words. When Jesus says, “I am the bread of life,” it is as if to say, “the bread of life is actually me.” He also says, “the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (Jn 6:51). Jesus’ earthly life was dedicated to executing the will of His Father. I hope this helps, but we do well to recall that the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is far more glorious and mysterious than mere words can fully express. When Jesus told the hungry crowds that he was the Bread of Life, he was teaching his followers that He alone was their true source of spiritual life, both in this present world and in the everlasting life to come. One day, after filling the empty stomachs of over 5,000 people, Jesus said to them, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Because bread is so basic to our life, God was wise to nourish us with divine life in the form of bread, the Eucharist. He came into the world not to give bread, but to be bread. Answer: I’m not sure why you conclude that. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 6:35-59 consists of teaching by Jesus centered on his proclamation, “I am the bread of life” (verses 35, 48). “Not since the days of manna had a prophet provided miracle bread like that.” Jesus was now proclaiming to be Manna Himself, writes Trevin Wax. Proud member Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Through the relation of hunger, a physical need, Jesus explained the recalculation of our every desire -not just for physical food but spiritual - to be satisfied in Him. Jesus told them that he is “the bread of life”. And, so, though he uses bread to indicate the species, he is clearly saying that it is actually a partaking or communion (the Greek is koinónia) in the body of Christ. Enough was given to them to satisfy their hunger for the day. He answers, it is here; I am that bread. “The day before Jesus said these things, he had fed a crowd of 5,000 people with loaves and fish,” explained Jon Bloom for desiring God. These statements were not easy for listeners of Jesus’ message to hear. Second, it does not pertain to a natural body to be present everywhere. Subscribe now. When we celebrate the Last Supper through communion, we are reinstating our trust in God, and our need for Him to satisfy our souls. (The water springs up into Eternal Life - The Bread of Life gives eternal Life). Without this understanding, some might be tempted to wonder what part of the host contained his eyes or arms, etc., and why the host doesn’t weigh 190 pounds or so. Lesson 1 covered Jesus as the “I am.” He is the answer to the spiritual needs of every person. His flesh — His life — given for the sins of the world is the staff that upholds us, and only those who trust in Him alone can find eternal salvation. JOHN 6:50-51 50 “This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. Found only in John’s gospel, this phrase is repeated twice more, part of a bigger text and even larger prophetic fulfillment of the seven “I am” statements of Jesus. John 6:35, NIV: "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. The Living Word, Jesus in this one statement describes our need for Him, and the hope we find in Him to be fully satisfied by our Creator - the One True God. ( B ) Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes ( C ) in me will never be thirsty. 'I Am the Bread of Life' Throughout the Bible, bread is a symbolic representation of God's life-sustaining provision. Jesus overturned traditional Jewish beliefs by referring to Himself as the bread of life. The Bread of Life Discourse is a portion of the teaching of Jesus which appears in the Gospel of John 6:22–59 and was delivered in the synagogue at Capernaum.. The Eucharist is not merely a piece of dead flesh or a part of Christ; we receive the whole Christ, living and risen: body, blood, soul and divinity. To get what John 6:35 means based on its source text, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context and relative popularity. First, as noted, we are receiving the Risen Christ. Recall, too, the context of these words. So when Jesus said, "I am the Bread of: Life," the people understood the importance He was accruing to: Himself. What's the meaning of the phrase 'The bread of life'? 6:35 I am the bread of life - Having and giving life: he that cometh - he that believeth - Equivalent expressions: shall never hunger, thirst - Shall be satisfied, happy, for ever. When the people ask for this bread, the Bible records, “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst’” . “God is the supplier of divine bread,” explains the NIV Commentary, “and whoever eats of it … So what does Jesus mean when he says, “I am the Bread of Life?” Well, simply put, he means that we are not satisfied spiritually unless we know Jesus; we … When the bell rang for the next class I decided I didn’t like the music, so I tore it up and threw it in the wastepaper basket. White bread, rye bread, wheat bread, pita bread, zucchini bread, and pumpernickel! John’s prose reminds Christ followers where our strength and sustenance comes from, both physically and spiritually. 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