Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”.
John 6:35
As we continue taking a look at how Jesus described Himself in the Book of John, we must remember how we began this month, focusing on the knowledge of God in the person of Christ Jesus. So, the more you know Jesus, the more you know God. Yesterday, we saw how Jesus introduced Himself as Eternal Life, helping us understand that there is no satisfaction outside of Him.
Today, we will continue similarly, looking at Jesus introducing Himself as the Bread of Life in John chapter six. This occurred after the feeding of the five thousand, giving us context as to why He describes Himself this way. After feeding the five thousand, Jesus withdrew from them, and later journeyed to the other side of the lake. However, these people went in search of Jesus and found Him. But why were they really after Him? They were after Him because He fed them with bread. Some may laugh at these people, but many times we have done the same thing. We seek Jesus when we need something in our lives, and for some, that is the only thing keeping them with Jesus—that He can supply their needs and provide for them. In verse 26, Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” He revealed their true desires to them, and it is the same with some of us.
But Jesus doesn’t stop there; instead, He corrects their perception of seeking Him. He said in verse 27, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.” Just as we saw with the Samaritan woman, Jesus helps us see that satisfaction can never be found in the temporary things the world provides. Man can only be satisfied with eternal things, which only Jesus can give. So, we should seek Jesus, not for the things the world can provide, but for that which lasts for eternity.
Therefore, when Jesus says in verse 35, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty,” He means that we can only find satisfaction in Him. Jesus also gives us a way to live in this satisfaction by using the term “bread,” which we know refers to food meant to be eaten. So, instead of seeking Him for physical food that perishes, why not seek Him for the food that does not perish? And He Himself is that food. John also describes Him in chapter one as the Word of God. So, putting all this together, Jesus is telling us to consume the Word of God, for in it we can find satisfaction. In John 17:3, Jesus describes eternal life as the knowledge of Himself, saying, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
Therefore, we can conclude that by knowing God through His Word, we receive the satisfaction of eternity and live a life free from dissatisfaction. This is what we should truly seek Jesus for—knowledge of Himself through the Word of God. So, decide today to make it a priority to dwell on the Word of God, to know Jesus more and more each day, for this is how we receive true satisfaction
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help me to seek You for what truly matters—to know You and be like You, so that I can live a life of satisfaction, even here on earth. As I open Your Word, may You reveal Yourself to me each day, that I may know You more.
