Title: “I am the bread of life.”

Scripture reading: John 6:35

“And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

Introduction
“I am the bread of life!” This solemn saying is the first of seven such sayings in John’s Gospel: “I am the bread of life” (6:35); “I am the light of the world” (8:12; 9:5); “I am the gate” (10:7, 9); “I am the good shepherd” (10:11, 14); “I am the resurrection and the life” (11:25); “I am the way and the truth and the life” (14:6); “I am the true vine” (15:1, 5).

No mere man can satisfy his own hunger or thirst, much less satisfy the spiritual appetite of the whole world!
Jesus described Himself in many different ways. One of the ways He described Himself was to tell the people He was the bread of life. Bread is the main thing for survival. This bread which Jesus speaks of will bring you eternal life. As physical bread gives you physical life so does spiritual bread gives life which is in Christ.

William Barclay said, “I am the bread of life”—here is at the same time one of the greatest claims and one of the greatest offers of Jesus Christ.”

The Source of the Bread
“I am the bread of life.” Jesus stated the truth simply and clearly. He is the bread of life. “I am the bread” of Passover, the heavenly manna, the contents of God’s divine treasury. Jesus is “living bread,” as once before he offered “living water.” This famous saying (“I am the bread of life”) heads the list of what we call the “I-am sayings” in John. We have already noted those places so far where Jesus uses “I am” without a predicate, implying some absolute use that echoes God’s name in Exodus.  When our Lord spoke of himself as the bread, he was using an image about which everybody knew. What is important about bread? The first answer is that bread is necessary for life. Without bread, men died. Bread is the main thing for survival. If you see that, then you also see that Jesus was claiming to be the One whom men and women could not do without. Each of the “I am” statements represent a particular aspect of this provision. For Jesus to say he is the Bread of Life is for him to say, “I am the sustenance of your life.”

“I am the bread of life.” When Jesus used the words “I am,” he was pointing to his unique, divine identity. In essence this statement says, “I the Lord God am here to provide you with everything you need for your spiritual life.” This shows the relationship between the Old Testament signs and the New Testament reality in Christ. The manna given in the exodus was real—it actually fed the people—but Jesus was the true fulfillment of what it represented. This is the case with all the Old Testament symbols, or “types,” of Christ. Israel had Moses as a redeemer, but Jesus is the true Redeemer. Jerusalem had a temple, but Jesus is the true temple where God meets with man.

Bread is suited for everyone. Not everyone can eat everything. Some people can never eat sweets. Some cannot eat certain kinds of meat. But bread is suited for everyone In the same way, the Lord Jesus Christ is perfectly suited to the needs of all men. Jesus is for all. He is for you. He is the Savior of the world, and that includes the poor as well as the king on his throne.

Bread should be eaten daily. This brings us into a whole new area, the area of the Christian life. It brings him into a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in which he is to grow by feeding upon him day by day.

Those who come to Him find enough in Him to satisfy their spiritual hunger forever. Those who believe on Him find their thirst forever quenched. Notice the words I am in this verse and recognize that the Lord was making a claim to equality with Jehovah. There are many substitutes on the market. The devil sees to that. Our text is speaking of Jesus Christ, the true bread of life.

The Open Invitation for the Bread
“He who comes to Me” The only requirement to obtain this bread is to come to Jesus Christ. This means that put our trust in him. Jesus combines two whoever statements that tell us what it means to come to him. He joins “whoever comes to me” with “whoever believes in me.” We come to Jesus by believing in him. Have you done that? Or do you persist with new demands, just as the crowd asked for yet another sign? If you do not come—if you do not believe—you will hunger until your spirit finally dies.

There have been, periodically, free food giveaways. However, there are so many conditions laid down to obtain the food, that it means the free food is not available to all. But the stipulation to the best bread of all makes it available to all people.

The Promise of the Bread
“Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” This means that in coming to Jesus, we will always be watered and fed. We will be weak, but coming to Jesus will make us strong. In storm, we will find peace. In grief, we will gain comfort. In confusion, we will see truth. In discouragement we find encouragement. Coming to Jesus is the answer to all our spiritual needs, and Jesus promises always to provide. The Gospel is the Gospel of “Whosoever.” It is only limited in the stipulation of coming after Christ. Income, family size, where you live do not affect whether or not you can have this bread. It is available to all.

I have never met a person who after they came to Christ wanted to leave Christ, for He did not satisfy the longing of their soul. Christ does not bring emptiness to your heart and soul, but He fills it to the brim so you are completely satisfied. After partaking of Christ you will “never” hunger or thirst but will be satisfied with His bread.

Jesus, like bread, is suited for everyone. He is for you. He is the Savior of the world. Just as bread is eaten daily, Jesus is our daily need. Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us . . . our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11). Just as bread must be chewed and swallowed, Christians must feed on Jesus by faith. Jesus especially applied this principle to his Word. He said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).

Application
God’s provision for our highest, eternal needs is Jesus Christ, the true Bread whom God has sent into the world.
“Whoever will come” means you. And if you will come to Jesus, you will not need another. You may come to him every day of your life, for unending days in all eternity, and be satisfied again and again.

If you come to Jesus, you will say with the Song of Solomon, “He is altogether lovely” (Song 5:16). And if you walk with Jesus as a disciple, you will come to realize the same truth that Peter did: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Coming to Jesus starts with realizing the hunger of your soul.

Let’s pray together
Heavenly Father,  In Jesus Name Amen.