The authorship of John’s gospel is attributed to the one “leaning on Jesus’ bosom … whom Jesus loved.” (John 13.23) John, the son of Zebedee, belonged to the “inner circle” of Jesus’ disciples and followers (Matthew 17:1, Mark 13:3). He accompanied Jesus upon the mount of transfiguration and walked with Jesus further into the garden of Gesthemene. Jesus loved him and trusted him; He sought John for support when he was deeply troubled.
In the latter part of the first century during the Jewish War of A.D. 66-70 John moved to Ephesus, where he continued his ministry. Early church tradition suggests he wrote his gospel “at the request of the ministers of the several churches of Asia, in opposition to the heresy of Corinthus and the Ebionites who held that our Lord was a mere man.” In contrast to the synoptics which are characterized by their historical approach, John builds upon their accounts and speaks to the mystery of Christ, revealing the “spiritual things of the gospel….” He wrote to lead his readers “to a settled faith on the basis of the words and works of Jesus…”
John’s gospel is unique not only in purpose, but in style. The seven “I Am” statements frame his revelation of the person of Christ and relate the Messiah to His readers in a very personal way. John’s seven themes are: 1) I am the Bread of Life, 2) I am the Light of the World, 3) I am the Door, 4) I am the Good Shepherd, 5) I am the Resurrection, 6) I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, 7) I am the Vine. Each of these statements unveils a part of Jesus’ heart toward us; summarily, they demonstrate His absolute sufficiency for us.
John’s sixth chapter records Jesus’ words: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” When Jesus sought to reveal the Kingdom of Heaven, His perspective was much broader than that of either the religious leaders or His followers. Contextually, Jesus had fed the five thousand the previous day with five barley loaves and two small fish (John 6:9). Because of this “sign” the masses followed Him across the sea to Capernaum. Jesus, discerning their hearts, declared to them:
“Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” (v 27)
He further distinguishes (v. 32-33) between temporal bread and “true bread from heaven.” Once again, the people’s natural thinking toward His declarations prompts them to request “give us this bread always.” (v. 34)
At this point Jesus identifies Himself as the Bread of Life (v. 35), once again proclaiming a much different perspective of the Kingdom. Paul’s declaration in
Romans 14:17 aligns with Jesus’ teachings regarding the eternal nature of
the Kingdom. Jesus declared to the people that He did not come to supply merely their physical needs, but to nourish their eternal, spiritual needs in relationship with their Creator.
The people, blinded by their souls’ deception, reject Jesus’ proclamation (v. 42).
He responds again (v. 48-59), declaring “I am the bread of life” and further explaining that “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.” This concept of eating His flesh and drinking His blood is certainly not literal, but merely consistent with His
analogy.
To receive bodily nourishment from physical food I must chose to consume food and drink, thereby replenishing my physical needs. Likewise, to receive eternal life, to abide in the kingdom – the Body of Christ – I must choose to receive the person of Christ; I must act upon my belief that He is who He says He is by pursuing relationship with Him. Just as food and drink for physical health is a
recurring need, spiritual nourishment supplying spiritual life is an ongoing necessity.
When I received Jesus into my life, this moment was the beginning of the story,
“for if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled [now an accomplished fact] we shall be saved (a continuing process]… by His life.” (Romans 5:10) By entering into relationship with Him I was “born again” (John 3:3). This new life in me now requires nourishment to supply my spiritual life, just as my physical body continues to require replenishment. In declaring He is the bread of life, Jesus is saying to me that He is my nourishment and as long as I feed on Him I will live because of Him (v. 57).
When Jesus declared (Mark 7:20-23) that what defiles a man is what comes from his heart, not what He puts into his mouth, He is addressing both the physical / natural and the spiritual / supernatural. In the Lord’s Prayer, He prayed “give us this day our daily bread…” in addition to the request for physical provision – in the multiple layers of scripture – He is speaking of spiritual nourishment, as well.
Jesus’ revelation of Himself as the Bread of Life is a truth that transcends time
and remains powerfully relevant and applicable to us today. When I pray and
ask Him for my daily bread, I am asking Him to give Himself to me, to impart a fresh anointing of His spirit into my spirit; to live His resurrected, saving life in and through me.
Likewise, when I “ingest” my environment, I must be careful that I nourish my soul with “whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report…” (Philippians 4:8). For whatever I dwell upon roots itself in my soul. And being planted in my soul, these things I will think upon, and as I think in my heart, so I am (Proverbs 23:7). Finally, what I think upon will determine the words I speak (Proverbs 18:20-21) and the actions I take, profoundly influencing my life “in Him.”
To sit and eat a meal is a choice we make on a daily basis, for our physical well being. To walk in relationship with Jesus is also a daily choice, for our spiritual health. He is ever-present, patiently offering us the Bread of Life. Will we receive Him?
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Sources:
Hayford, Jack W. ed. Spirit Filled Life Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson
Publishers, 1991.
Thomas, W. lan. The Saving Life of Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1961.
Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible. United States of America: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. Sixth printing. 1991.
