ADULT STS LESSON 141 THE BREAD OF LIFE
MEMORY VERSE: “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).
TEXT: John 6:1-71
In this lesson, we are presented with two miracles of Christ recorded by John, which are common to the synoptic gospels. They are the feeding of the five thousand and Jesus walking on water. No doubt, these miracles support the purpose for which the fourth gospel was written: to make people believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is truly God, the incarnate Son of God and the expected Messiah. The miracle of bread multiplication for instance, helps to drive home the message that He is the Bread of life, whom if received, gives eternal life to recipients of His grace. He declared, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eats of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51).
CHRIST’S CONCERN FOR THE MULTITUDES AND THE MIRACLE OF FOOD MULTIPLICATION (John 6:1- 15; Matthew 14:13-16; Mark 6:32-37; Luke 9:10-13; Psalms 115:12; 40:17; Matthew 6:32; John 13:1; 1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 14:17-21; Mark 6:38-44; Luke 9:14-17; 2 Kings 4:42-44; Philippians 4:19; Psalms 84:11; 37:25)
The twelve disciples whom Jesus sent for evangelistic outreach had returned and given their reports. The Lord knew that they needed rest and withdrew with them, passing over the Sea of Galilee. A great multitude followed from various villages because they had seen that He turned water into wine at the marriage in Cana of Galilee. The Lord received and preached to them about the kingdom of God and healed the sick among them (Luke 9:11). It is instructive that Jesus did not ignore them nor minister only to their physical needs; He also “spake unto them of the kingdom of God”. Some of Christ’s disciples preferred that the people be sent away hungry to buy food for themselves in nearby villages. However, the Lord pointed out that they should be fed there in the desert place. The Lord posed a question to Philip, “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” He knew what to do, but He wanted to test the faith of Philip. Philip was of Bethsaida, near where Jesus was ministering to the people. He had been with Him from the beginning before many of the other disciples.
But at this time, Philip manifested little faith as he looked at things from the natural man’s standpoint. He forgot that the Messiah can do all things. Andrew pointed out the means for the miracle. “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?” (verse 9). Though his suggestion was a step to the miracle, his faith was no higher than that of Philip. “And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would” (John 6:11). It could only be by a miracle for the food to be sufficient for all. Jesus therefore took the loaves and gave thanks to God before distribution was made. The emphasis was on giving of thanks and not on praying to God for the food to be multiplied. He knew that the food was already multiplied because He was working in harmony with the Father (John 5:19).
However, He expects believers to ask in faith with a thankful heart in order to receive from God. The manner of food distribution was excellent. Jesus gave to the disciples and they, in turn, distributed to the multitudes who were orderly seated. Everyone got as much as they needed. During special church programmes where food has to be served to participants, we should follow the Lord’s pattern to avoid complaints (Acts 6:1-3). Christian ministers also owe it a duty to seek the face of the Lord to receive His word and give it to their congregations according to their needs. “When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost” (verse 12).
Though the Lord gives abundantly, He does not want anything to be wasted. Another reason is to teach accountability. We must take proper record of what is entrusted in our care, whether in our homes, offices or in the house of God. In all, twelve baskets were filled with the fragments of the loaves and fishes. The miracle made them believe that Jesus is the promised Prophet. Therefore, they wanted to make Him their political king by force, but He withdrew from them to pray alone in a mountain. This is a commendable attitude which believers should emulate when the world want to sway them from their spiritual goals.
CHRIST WALKS ON THE SEA (John 6:16-21; Job 9:8; Psalm 77:19; Matthew 14:24-33; Mark 6:47-53)
Jesus had sent away the multitude and constrained His disciples to go by a ship toward Capernaum before going to pray on a mountain. The ship however got into problem as the wind became contrary. He saw them “toiling in rowing” in the fourth watch and went to them, walking on the water (Mark 6:48). The disciples were afraid when they saw Him, thinking that He was a spirit, but He said, “It is I: be not afraid”. Therefore, they willingly received Him into the ship and immediately they got to land. If you are toiling, trying to overcome the storms in your life, family, secular endeavour or ministry, be rest assured that Jesus will not leave you alone. With Him, you can take charge of all situations.
THE MULTITUDES’ MOTIVE AND CHRIST’S CHALLENGE (John 6:22-30; Joel 3:14; Ecclesiastes 1:14; 4:8; Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 13:44; Mark 9:43- 48; Isaiah 55:2)
The way the multitudes responded to the miraculous multiplication of the five barley loaves and two small fishes is typical of unconverted people. They viewed Christ as one who came to satisfy their natural hunger. From Tiberias to Capernaum, they traversed the land in search of the Son of God. But Christ who sees the motives behind people’s religious zeal used the opportunity to correct their misplaced priority. Though their motive was less spiritual, the diligence and zeal with which they sought Christ is striking. They were willing to forego their immediate comfort. Earnest seekers are always willing to pay any price to have eternal life (Matthew 13:44). Christ’s challenge stems from the ignorance and wrong motives with which the multitudes sought Him. He said to them: “…Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled” (John 6:26). Instead of dissipating energy on temporal things that shall perish with this world, the Lord charged them to “Labour… for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed” (verse 27). This challenge is still relevant now be”ause’many are preoccupied only with the thought of what to eat and drink. But the divine imperative for all is to: “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Apart from portraying the love and compassion of God in relieving physical conditions, miracles done in the name of Christ are meant to convince people of God’s approval of Christ and His doctrine and thus lead them to faith and salvation. It is to draw souls into the Kingdom. Unfortunately, the multitude in our text failed to realise Christ’s design in performing this miracle. They still did not believe in Him though they enjoyed His miracles. By directing the multitude not to labour “for the meat which perisheth but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life”, the Lord did not mean that we should not labour for daily living. He did mean, however, that physical food, convenience and material well-being should not be the supreme concern of our lives. They should never be allowed to supersede godliness and spiritual pursuits.
CHRIST, THE BREAD OF LIFE (John 6:31-59; Isaiah 55:2; Jeremiah 3:15; Ezekiel 34:14; 1 Corinthians 10:3,4; Deuteronomy 8:3; Revelation 2:7,17)
Christ is the Bread from heaven, the Living Bread that provides the desired satisfaction and peace with God. He explained that the manna that the Israelites ate in the wilderness was not given by Moses but was a divine supply for the sustenance and well-being of the people. Eating of the flesh of Christ and drinking of His blood are no doubt metaphors derived from the multitude’s allusion to manna as proof of God’s approval of Moses. The Lord therefore, used the same metaphors of eating and drinking to illustrate the spiritual activities of faith in Him and the benefits of His death. When Christ spoke about giving His flesh for us, He was referring to His suffering and death on the cross but the people understood it literally to mean the giving of His body to be eaten. We partake by faith and enjoy the benefits because God gives them on the basis of what Christ did for us at Calvary.
Those who murmur and resist the truth reject the benefits of Christ’s death. However, faith is a requisite Ingredient to receiving the Bread of life. It equally serves as the basis of sustaining the satisfaction and peace enjoyed in Christ as the Bread of life. Coming to Christ in full assurance of His sufficiency to meet all human needs now and throughout eternity will propel our love for Him, promote our dependence on His grace continual feeding on His word. The more we feed on the word of God, the better will be the life of God in us. There is still a wrong understanding of Christ’s teaching in some religious circles. They teach that Christ’s physical body and blood must be ingested as condition for salvation. They further seek to give effect to this falsehood by affirming that the elements of the Holy Communion are miraculously transformed into real flesh and real blood of Christ to be eaten and drunk on performance of that ordinance. This belief is false and its practice devilish. The significance of it is found in 1 Corinthians 11:26: “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come”.
CONDITIONS FOR TRUE DISCIPLESHIP (John 6:60– 71; 8:30-32; Matthew 16:24; Luke 14:23,26; John 15:8)
“Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” (John 6:60). Jesus taught the depth of truth and conditions of peace and favour with God. The simple could not assimilate this truth and the multitude’s perception was divergent and irreconcilable to the word. The disciples also responded with such amazement because of their levels of perception and understanding of the truth. In the confusion engendered by their lack of understanding, “…many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him” (verse 66). “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” Peter’s response to Christ’s question is instructive and deeply rooted in his faith in Christ. “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (verses 68,69). Those who contemplate leaving Christ will do well to ask themselves where they will go from Christ. Many are offended as touching sound doctrines of God’s word. They revolt and resist the truth on restitution, holiness, Christian marriage and many others.
As believers, we should pray for grace to obey and be subject to God’s word. Christ emphasises the condition for discipleship as continuity in His word. Unflinching faith in His word and willingness to go with Him anywhere at all times are necessary if we want to be His disciples. Those who drop their allegiance and loyalty at the slightest opportunity cannot be His disciples.
Questions for review:
- Mention two miracles of Jesus in the text and the reason John recorded them.
- What do we learn from the method of food distribution in our text?
- Mention some instances in the Bible where God provided food miraculously for His people.
- Why did Christ command that the leftover of the bread and fishes be gathered?
- What should be our motive in seeking and serving the Lord?
- Why is Christ referred to as the Bread of Life?
- What are the conditions for true discipleship?
