The next discussion that Jesus had with the crowd was a defining moment in His ministry. The crowd realized Jesus and the disciples left and they chased after them. when they found Jesus on the other side of the lake, they wanted to know what Jesus had planned for lunch.
Jesus told them flat out, “You are not seeking a Messiah, You are seeking a pastry chef. You want more loaves of bread, but I am offering the bread of life. The people did not really like or understand the answer. How do we get this bread of Life? Are you going to feed us daily like Moses Did?
That is when Jesus spelled it out. It is not about the food or even the life changing healings. It is grasping that Jesus is the very bread of life. He offers the only true life-giving sustenance. But it is not a loaf or a fish, it is not even Manna. People have to literally voraciously consume the gift of salvation to live. It was tantamount Jesus telling these folks that they had to gorge on Him–His flesh, His blood to get the life they so longed for.
This was not a message that was well received in the Jewish culture. The best word would be gross! Yuck, what are we cannibals? Jesus knew it was probably early for them to understand. That is why John camped out there. He needed us to see Jesus’ heart and His wisdom. He had to turn the tide. He did not need a bunch of followers that wanted instant gratification!
Jesus’ message was for the long game. He needed the takers to leave. He needed to focus on presenting the Father’s message, Love, and plan to those who would listen and receive it. Those would be the future nation of priests that God planned for in Exodus.
God is not mocked. He is not some old fool that hands out treats like candy. He is a Father that wants to complete us and give us eternal life. He knew the only way was to offer the BREAD OF LIFE, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We will only be sustained by gnawing on the reality of His sacrifice and accepting it full-on and full-out.
God Bless You
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22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
Jesus the Bread of Life
25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
26 Jesus answered, “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. 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.”
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[c]”
32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
35 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. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
Walking With God 