Bible Text: John 6:22-40 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: Are You Satisfied?, John

Recap of 4/1/12 (John 6:22-36):

 

1.  The crowds which had been fed by Jesus the previous day in the feeding of the 5,000+ went looking for Jesus, not seeking Him for spiritual food, but for another meal.  “Jesus had worked this mighty miracle as a setting for plain talk on His true mission to the world.  While He had spent much time ministering to men’s bodily needs, the real purpose of His coming into the world was to save men’s souls.” (The One Year Study Bible NLT)

 

2.  Jesus chides the people because of their lack of perception; they missed the meaning of the meal; they were seeking the physical not the spiritual. He challenged the people to get their priorities straight, to desire spiritual food which leads to eternal life, rather than physical food which would leave them hungry again.

 

3.  Once more they missed His meaning thinking they could gain God’s favor through some kind of good work.  Jesus again corrects their misconception teaching them that the only thing God requires or accepts is faith in God the Son.  A person cannot gain merit (favor) with God through good works (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5)

 

4.  Jesus Himself is the Bread of Life (the bread which is the source of life).  He gives life which satisfies (real, abundant, lasting, spiritual).  “Faith centers in a Person.  It is not the acceptance of a creed or the performance of a ritual, but consists in the surrender of self, in devotion and trust, to a personal, present, loving Savior.” (Erdman)