After the feeding of the five thousand we find the multitudes of people not leaving. They stayed through the storm (when Jesus walked on the water) and then the next day got in boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. Once they found Jesus, a discussion begins as Jesus uses the opportunity to teach the crowd concerning the way to salvation. It is in this account that we see two falsehoods and three truths.
Falsehood: Looking for Jesus for the wrong reason. As the people sought Jesus and found Him in Capernaum Jesus responds to them in verse 26. Jesus answered them and said, Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.[1] Wiersbe writes, “The disciples may have been impressed that so many people stayed through a storm in order to seek their Master, but Jesus was not impressed. He knows the human heart. He knew that the people originally followed Him because of His miracles (John 6:2), but now their motive was to get fed! Even if they were attracted only by the miracles, at least there was still a possibility they might be saved.”[2] Jesus perceives that the motive of the crowd was faulty. They were following Jesus for what they could get out of it, rather, than following Him for who He is. We have an old dog at our house. She has been a part of our family for about 14 years. She loves her family. When we pull into the driveway, she jumps up and down and runs in circles. She is always so excited to see us. Then she will follow us into the garage all the way to the door. After we go inside, she will stand at the door and may even start barking until we open the door and give her a treat. She will follow us anywhere because of the benefit she receives. I am convinced that if a stranger came by and offered her a bone she would not hesitate to hop in the car with the stranger. This is typical behavior for a dog. Give her what she wants and she will follow you anywhere. The same may be said of leaders and followers. A leader that appeases and pleases and compromises may have many followers. However, a leader that does the right thing and preaches the truth may have less followers because he does not just give the people what they want. Jesus implied that the multitude simply followed Him for what He had given them and not for who He is. Oh my friend, do we not do the same? “Many follow Christ for loaves, and not for love.”[3] We seek after Jesus because of the benefits we think it will bring. We seek after Him for what He can give us. Would we follow Jesus if He never answered one single prayer? Would we follow Jesus if we were never blessed? Would we follow Jesus if nothing good ever comes from doing so? Think about it. Would we follow Jesus simply for who He is with no strings attached? Too often we look for Jesus for the wrong reason. We come to Him for what we can get from Him, rather than just loving Him and following Him for who He is.
Falsehood: Misunderstanding the way of salvation. The people misunderstood what Jesus was saying when He said ‘do not labor for food that perishes.’ Their response is seen in verse 28. Then they said to Him, What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?[4] The people asked Jesus a very direct question. “The expression, literally, “working works,” is a typical emphatic Hebraism that has been preserved perfectly in Greek. Its occurrence suggests that the conversation is most probably the kind that would have taken place in a synagogue (note the reference to the synagogue at 6:59) among those who were bent on gaining precise definitions of legitimate, God-honoring work that would provide the devotee with God’s assured affirmation. The response of Jesus, however, was not what the questioners were seeking. In his answer Jesus turned the concern of the Jews on its head and defined the assuring work not as usual labor but as believing in him—the one who was on a mission from God (6:29).”[5] As seen elsewhere, the Jews had an academic faith rather than a spiritual faith. They had a head knowledge but not a heart knowledge. They were still caught up with the idea that they work for their salvation. They misunderstood the way of salvation. They misunderstood what Jesus was saying about believing on Him. Perhaps they were frustrated with thinking Jesus demand of them yet one more thing in addition to the methods of purification, the feasts, the pilgrimages, the sacrifices, and obedience to a strict moral law. What the Jews did not understand was that the way of salvation was not a work that they do, but rather, a work of God in them. “To “believe on him,” to habitually entrust one’s self to the power and grace of Christ, to make a full moral surrender of the soul to the Lord, includes in itself all other work, and is in itself the great work of God.”[6] “Faith is the highest kind of work, for by it man gives himself to God, and a free being can do nothing greater than give himself.”[7] Eternal life is not obtained by what one can do, but by in Whom one believes. Eternal life proceeds from nothing else than faith in Christ. The work that Jesus spoke of was the work of faith. Salvation comes by grace through faith. It is our faith in Christ that makes His gift of salvation a reality in our lives. The way of salvation must not be misunderstood. It is imperative that we understand that it is faith in Christ alone that saves us and not the works that we strive to do.
Truth: The bread of life. It is interesting that after Jesus explained to the people yet again that eternal life comes by believing on Him in faith that the people asks for a sign. As if they had not seen enough already. Verse 31 reads: Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[8] Can you imagine the gall of the Jews asking Jesus for another sign? They basically claim that Moses gave them bread from Heaven to eat in the wilderness and are asking Jesus, ‘what can you give us’? This even comes after Jesus fed the five thousand. What more could they possibly want? What will it take for them to believe that Jesus is the way? Verse 32-33 says: Then Jesus said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.[9] “In His reply, our Lord sought to deepen the people’s understanding of the truth. It was God, not Moses, who gave the manna; so they must take their eyes off Moses and focus them on God. Also, God gave the manna in the past, but the Father is now giving the true bread in the person of Jesus Christ. The past event is finished, but the present spiritual experience goes on!”[10]In response to Jesus explaining how it was not Moses that gave them the bread, but rather, it was God in Heaven that gave them the bread, the people respond in verse 34. Then they said to Him, Lord, give us this bread always.[11] I am simply taken back by the response of the people that day. They have already seen Jesus perform miracles. They have already seen Him feed the five thousand. They are following Him wanting more from His. He has already told them multiple times that salvation comes by believing on Him. He has already explained to them that the bread given in the wilderness came from God and how the bread of God that comes from God is the One who comes down from Heaven. Yet, they ask Him to give them this bread. They still missed it. They still did not understand that Jesus, the One standing right in front of them is the bread! Jesus then makes it plain in verses 35-36, And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.[12] Jesus makes it very plain when He says that He is the bread of life. He is the only One that satisfies. All those who believe on Him will have eternal life. Yet, as Jesus says, they still do not believe. Jesus says, I am here. The way of salvation is standing right in front of you, and you still will not believe.
Truth: The will of God. Jesus continues His explanation by showing how He was sent by God the Father and has come to fulfil the Father’s will by providing a way for the world to be reconciled to Him and to have eternal life in Heaven. Verse 37-40 says, All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.[13] Jesus has already claimed that He and the Father are one. Therefore, the will of the Father is also the will of the Son. Jesus came to fulfill the will of the Father which is to provide salvation to all who would believe in Him. Those who do come to Him in faith will not be turned away. Those who believe are those whom the Father gives to the Son as His inheritance. It is these who believe that are kept secure and will be raised up at the last day and will live eternally in Heaven. It is so good to know that those who come to Jesus in genuine faith will not be turned away. The Father will refuse no one. Salvation is available to all and all who come to the Father through Jesus will be given the gift of salvation and their salvation will be secured forever. What a glorious truth!
Truth: The only way. In the remaining verses of chapter 6, Jesus continues to reiterate the way of salvation. The way is found in Jesus only. He is the bread of life. He came to reconcile mankind to the Father. He came to provide a way and that way is Himself. The Jews complained amongst themselves concerning what Jesus was teaching. We see part of Jesus’ response in verses 43-44. Jesus therefore answered and said to them, do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.[14] Jesus makes it very plain the only way to Salvation is by coming to Him. By believing on Him. Jesus declares that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws him. I believe that this statement is consistent with what we find throughout the Bible. Unfortunately, many have taken this verse out of context to defend the idea that God chooses who will be saved and who will not be saved. However, such a belief is faulty due to its inconsistency. When you study the Bible you must compare scripture with scripture. The Bible is clear that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. It is also clear that it is the will of God that all would be saved. Therefore, we can interpret this verse as the fact that God is drawing through His Spirit, through the written Word, through the testimony of believers; all of mankind to faith in Christ. Essentially, no one can be saved unless they are drawn by the Father. Who is He drawing? The whole world. However, this does not negate the fact that not all will be saved. Just because one is drawn to Christ does not mean he or she will believe. Jesus says in verse 51, I am the living bread which came down from heaven. 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.[15] Jesus is referring to His death on the cross. He came to give Himself as a sacrifice for the whole world. The Jews questioned Jesus on this. They argued amongst themselves concerning what he meant. Some thought Jesus was saying that they were to eat His actually body. In verses 53-58 Jesus gives further explanation. Then Jesus said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.[16] Jesus was referring to Himself as spiritual bread. Their fathers ate physical manna in the wilderness. However, to be saved, one must accept the sacrifice Jesus made. You must believe on Him. When you do believe on Jesus, His blood will cleanse you of your sin and you will be adopted into His family and reconciled to God the Father. Matthew Henry wrote, “The manna did only reserve and support life, did not preserve and perpetuate life, much less restore it; but Christ gives life to those that were dead in sin. The manna was ordained only for the life of the Israelites, but Christ is given for the life of the world; none are excluded from the benefit of this bread, but such as exclude themselves.”[17] These teachings of Jesus were difficult for the Jewish people to understand. Many turned away from Him while many also continued to follow Him. Jesus asked His disciples if they too will turn away and Peter responds in verses 68-69. But Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.[18] Peter makes it very clear that He believes that Jesus is indeed the Christ. He declares that Jesus is the only way and that He believes in Him. The most foundational truth of our faith is the truth that Jesus is the only way. One cannot be saved by their own efforts or religiosity or works. It is in Christ alone that one can be saved.
Jesus truly is the bread of life. Only He can save. Only He can satisfy. Do you know Him?
[1] The New King James Version (Jn 6:26). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 311). Victor Books.
[3] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 1951). Hendrickson.
[4] The New King James Version (Jn 6:28). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[5] Borchert, G. L. (1996). John 1–11 (Vol. 25A, p. 262). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[6] Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). St. John (Vol. 1, p. 258). Funk & Wagnalls Company.
[7] Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). St. John (Vol. 1, p. 258). Funk & Wagnalls Company.
[8] The New King James Version (Jn 6:31). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[9] The New King James Version (Jn 6:32–33). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[10] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 311). Victor Books.
[11] The New King James Version (Jn 6:34). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[12] The New King James Version (Jn 6:35–36). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[13] The New King James Version (Jn 6:37–40). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[14] The New King James Version (Jn 6:43–44). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[15] The New King James Version (Jn 6:51). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[16] The New King James Version (Jn 6:53–58). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[17] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 1952). Hendrickson.
[18] The New King James Version (Jn 6:68–69). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
Pastor Chris Noland 