12 January 2025

JESUS – THE BREAD OF LIFE

(The Names Of God: TNOG 24)

Jesus refers to Himself as the "Bread of Life" in John 6:35, saying, "I Am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty": This the first of the “I AM” claims in the Gospel of John. Jesus said this after He fed the 5000 men (not including women and children) by multiplying the five loaves and two fish.

In the Old Testament, God revealed His Name to Moses: “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as the Name of God. Whenever Jesus made an “I AM” statement He is claiming Deity, thus identifying Himself as God. (To the Jews this was blasphemy, and they wanted to stone Him).

What does Jesus mean when He claims to be The Bread of Life?

1. Spiritual Nourishment
Jesus is using this metaphor to describe spiritual nourishment, and that He is the Source of true hope, joy, and peace. The Bread of Life can give spiritual life, nourish the soul, and impact the body.

2. Satisfaction in Life.
Jesus is promising satisfaction in Life so they will never hunger or thirst any more. The emptiness of their lives will be fully filled with divine blessings. Jesus is “The Life” and He came to give fullness of life (John 10:10b)

3. Eternal life
Jesus is referring to Eternal Life, not physical life. He is contrasting Himself with the Bread He miraculously created when feeding the hungry crowd of 5000 men. There is life after death because He is the Living Bread from Heaven. He said, “I am the Living Bread that came down from Heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread, he will live forever. This Bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:51).

The Condition for this Fulfillment is Faith:
The phrase "whoever believes in Me" emphasizes faith as the means to receive the life Jesus offers. Faith is not just accepting what He claims - it calls for a committed, trusting relationship with Christ. It is to surrender to the Lordship of Christ and walk in obedience to His commands. He said, “If you hold to My Teaching, you are really My disciples” (Jn 8:31).

Many so-called “Christians” do not experience all the above that Jesus promises because they are not willing to surrender completely to His Lordship. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”. Jesus is not just Saviour but He is also Lord and King. Unless we acknowledge Him as such in our lives, we may not be saved.

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