John 6

John 6:1

In contrast to chapter 5 where we saw Jesus seeking an individual, as chapter 6 opens, we see a multitude seeking Jesus… From Mar_6:31, we know that as the crowds began to gather around Him, Jesus didn’t have time for leisure or even to eat. That is why He said to His disciples, “Come with Me and rest awhile.” It’s an invitation still needful todayfor if we don’t come apart with the Savior, we’ll fall apart at the seams.

John 6:2

Although the disciples and Jesus ascended a mountain, the crowd tracked Him downnot so much because they wanted to be with Him, but because they were curious about Him. Having seen His miracles, they no doubt looked at Jesus either as a magician to entertain them or as a physician to assist them. The crowd followed Jesus for the wrong reasons. And it still does. The crowd mentality is still to manipulate the Lord for a personal, private agendato get something from Him rather than simply to be with Him.

John 6:5

I love this about our Lord! Even though the crowd followed Him for the wrong reason and would, in the space of the chapter, turn away from Him completely, Jesus still has compassion on them, for, as Mark’s Gospel tells us, He looked on them as sheep without a shepherd (Joh_6:34). If you’re a mom or dad, you know how this works. You know when your kids are coming to you for the wrong reasonswhen their priorities are amiss or their motives are not right. But you also know you still love them and are there to tend them. So, too, every pastor, elder, or spiritual leader must realize that no matter how wrong people might be, it is never right to beat up on them, to come down on them, or to point a finger at them.

When those in ministry say, “If it wasn’t for these immature believers, things would really be happening at my church,” it only shows that the speaker is not really a shepherd. A true shepherd will never beat the sheep, for he knows he is there to feed the flock. And anyone who tries to beat up on you will feel the wrath of this under-shepherd. I will not stand for it.

John 6:6

“Where shall we buy bread?” It’s the only time Jesus appeared to ask for advice. Why did He ask Philip? In order to test him. So, too, Jesus puts us in situations where we feel there’s no solution in order to show us our progress in the arena of faith.

John 6:7

Like a New Deal Democrat, Philip’s first thought was that money would solve the problem. But after a quick survey of the situation, he knew the disciples didn’t have enough money in their treasury to buy enough to even give folks a crumb. Our country is $3.5 trillion in debt because we have the “Philip mentality” that money is the key. But there will always be a deficit because he who looks to mammon instead of to the Master will always come up short.

John 6:8

Good job, Andrew! Andrew’s a people personalways bringing folks to the Lord. Andrew almost has it. “There’s a boy here with some loaves and fishes, but…” How easily the word “but” creeps into our thinking. We are aware of the provision, but we start raising an objection when we look at the situation practically. I wonder how many times the Lord has brought us five barley loaves and two small fishes, but we failed to use them because we thought they were too small. God used a small stone in a small sling to slay a huge giant (1Sa_17:50). He used a little maiden girl to lead a mighty Syrian general to the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 5). He used a little child to teach His disciples (Mat_18:2). The Lord seems to delight in using a little to do a lot. If you’re feeling the need for a miraclefor something to break loose or something to take placeperhaps it’s already in your hand. Perhaps it’s already been entrusted to you. Yet, like Andrew, perhaps you are saying, “Let’s be practical. How’s this really going to work?”

John 6:10

Jesus didn’t say to His disciples, “You bozos. Get out of the way and let Me do a miracle.” No, He met them where they were and said, “Even though you don’t have the faith to see what I can do with the little given to Me, I’ll use you anyway. Could you make the people sit down? Could I use you in that way?” Luke’s Gospel tells us the people sat down in groups of fifty (Luk_9:14). When the Good Shepherd feeds His sheep, He does so decently and in order (1Co_14:40). Not only does Jesus feed His flock decently and orderly, but He feeds His flock carefully. Too often we have a “drive-thru” perspective of devotions. “Okay, Lord, I’ve got six minutes before I have to be out the door,” we say as we flip open the Scriptures and expect to be fed. It doesn’t happen that way. Not usually. As He did here, the Lord would have us not only sit down, but slow down. The bread kept coming and coming. And the disciples kept serving and serving. It’s astounding to me how many commentators try to nullify this miracle with ridiculous explanations. Some suggest it wasn’t a genuine feeding of five thousand, but rather a kind of Communion service, where everyone was given a tiny piece of bread and a tiny piece of fish. Others say that, because in Jesus’ day men had long, billowing sleeves wherein they would carry their lunches, when they knew Jesus was looking for some food to share, they tightened their sleeves. Then, when they became convicted by the willingness of a little boy who shared his lunch, everyone opened his sleeves and shared in a big potluck. Nonsense! Facing Frustration A Topical Study of Joh_6:5-11 Because there’s a good chance you’re feeling frustrated about something even now, I want us to look at a man who faced frustration in his own life. The situation is this: The disciples had just returned from a mission in which they had seen blind eyes opened, the sick healed, the oppressed liberated (Matthew 10). Wisely realizing they needed time to unwind, time to be rebuilt, and time to be renewed, Jesus took them across the Sea of Galilee (Mar_6:30-32). Arriving in Bethsaida, however, they discovered that a crowd had figured out where they were headed and had gone around the lake to meet them. Seeing the multitude, and knowing their need, Jesus turned to Philip and said, “Philip, we’re in your town. A lot of these people are your friends, your relatives. What are we going to do?” (see Joh_6:5). “I don’t know,” answered Philip. “We don’t have enough money to even begin to feed this crowd.” Maybe today you feel that same frustration. Maybe bills are piling up on your desk. Maybe the job you hold is not generating the necessary income to keep your books balanced. Maybe a relationship seems to be lacking the love you desire. Maybe you find yourself frustratedlike Philip. The Frustration of Philip Philip was frustrated by the situation he was in. I can relate to that. I face frustrations that are very great, very deep, and weigh heavily upon me. You do too. Lord, why are You picking on me? Philip must have wondered. Why don’t You ask Peter what to do? Or James? Why single me out, Lord? Do you ever feel that way? Amidst times of challenge and periods of frustration in each of our lives, there is a tendency to want to pass the buck. “Why, Lord, are You asking me what to do with these five thousand people? Why not ask someone else?” Philip was frustrated not only by the situation he was in, but by the figures he had. “Lord, as I add up our account, I realize we have enough money to feed about thirteen people.” He was frustrated by the figures he had because, dear friend, he was looking to his own resources rather than to the Source. How easily I fall into that same trap. I find myself looking at figures, statistics, and factsand coming up short. Yet even though Philip failed to see with the eyes of faith, his failure didn’t frustrate God’s work. I like that! Even though Philip was frustrated, God’s work still went on. Folks, the Lord’s work will go on. And even if we go through seasons of failure and lapses of faith, I am so thankful He’s bigger than our failure and greater than our lack of faith. He’s building His church, establishing His kingdom, pouring out His Spirit, and proclaiming the gospel to the entire world in these last days. Philip’s failure had no effect upon the work of the Lord. Neither did it disqualify Philip from the work of the Lord. Although Philip didn’t see what could have taken place had he been a man of faith, Jesus still said to Philip, “Can you get everyone to sit down in groups of fifty and pass out the food?” (Joh_6:10-11). This is what is so neat about Jesus. Even though Philip wasn’t able to see the miracle come through him, the Lord didn’t say, “You turkey, Philip. You lacked faith. I’m not going to use you in any way in any time. Hit the showers. You’re through.” No, He gave Philip something else to do. Philip didn’t see miraculous power flow through him in the way he could have, yet Jesus used him anyway. The Confidence of Christ While Philip was sweating it out, Jesus was cool as a cucumber. He knew what He was going to do all along. Why, then, did He ask Philip’s advice? In order to give Philip the opportunity to stretch and to grow. The same is true in your situation. Whatever is frustrating you todaywhatever fears you face, whatever tensions you feel, whatever burdens you’re bearingJesus already knows what He’s going to do concerning them. We don’t, but He does. And He wants us to walk by faith, to trust Him. Not only did Jesus know what He was going to do, but He also knew how He was going to do it. Before the miracle ever took place, He lifted up His eyes and gave thanks to His Father (Joh_6:11). So, too, regarding your dilemma, your frustration, your feardo what Jesus did. Lift up your eyes and say, “Thank You, Father, that You’re going to take care of this situation. I know You will. You are faithful. You have never let me down but have done exceedingly abundantly above all I could ask or think. When I thought I couldn’t make it, You pulled me through. When I thought I was going under, You pulled me up. When I thought I was out of it, You pulled me back. You’ve been so good. Thus, I give you thanks right now in this moment of frustration.” In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1Th_5:18). There is power in praise, gang. The Lord is pleased with people who are thankful as opposed to those who complain, murmur, and worry as they utter words that are depressing, defeating, and discouraging. The Lord blesses those who take what they haveas insufficient as it might seemplace it in His hands, and say, “Thank You, Lord. I believe in You.” Philip and Jesus were two men standing in the same place. One was frustrated, the other at rest. One was hot and bothered, the other cool and confident. The difference? Philip looked at the figures. Jesus looked to the Father. We have a choice to make, both as a church and as individuals: We can follow the example of Philip and say, “Why are You picking on me, Lord? My resources are so limited. My situation is impossible.” Or we can be like Jesus and lift our eyes to heaven, give thanks to the Father, and watch Him multiply and bless. I’m asking you today to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. In everything give thanks. Give Him what you have and expect Him to multiply it. You do not have to be frustrated today. You can be free right now if you’ll fix your eyes on heaven, have faith in the Father, and in everything give thanks.

John 6:12

The Greek word translated “filled” means “glutted.” What Jesus did wasn’t a trick, a gimmick, or a potluck. It was a miracle. I like this because it is true that even when our faith is faltering or lacking, if we will simply obediently do what the Lord tells us to do, even our small and insignificant actions will be multiplied and blessed. In obedience to the Lord’s command, the disciples simply made the multitude sit down and then distributed the food. The result? Not only were the disciples fed along with the multitude, but there were twelve baskets left overone for each of them. That’s why we’re always encouraging each other to get involved in serving, in sharing, in ministry. It’s when you do what the Lord sets before youno matter how mundane it might appearthat, along with those you serve, you receive a full basket as well.

John 6:14

In Deuteronomy 18, Moses prophesied that a prophet would come who was like, but greater than, himself. Those who witnessed the miracle that had just taken place thought surely Jesus must be the prophet of whom Moses spoke.

John 6:15

Although the crowd referred to Jesus as a prophet in verse Joh_6:14 and they desired to make Him a king in verse Joh_6:15, what they failed to acknowledge was that their real need was for a priest. Jesus, the Christos, the Christ, the Anointed One would not only be the promised Prophet and the King of kings. He would also have to be the great High Priest who would lay down His own life as a sacrifice for the sin of mankind. Thus, perceiving the crowd’s misconception as to who He was and what He was about, Jesus withdrew.

John 6:16

Perhaps it was to turn the focus of His disciples to a spiritual rather than an earthly kingdom that Jesus distanced His disciples from the crowd by sending them to Capernaum. Maybe, like the disciples, you’re at a point in your life where it’s dark and you don’t sense the presence of the Lord at all. Know this: Omnipotence can afford to wait.

John 6:18

Jesus is not only the Savior in the storm but also the sender of the storm. And, just as He did with His disciples, He will send you into a storm knowingly and lovingly if He sees you’re about to get pulled into the mentality of the crowd. In the midst of your own struggling and toiling, Jesus knows the perfect time to come to you and whisper in your ear, “It is I. Be not afraid.” But it won’t be a minute too early, and it won’t be a moment too late. Jesus didn’t jump into the disciples’ boat. He didn’t force Himself on board. The disciples received Him willingly. So, too, I can either say, “Nice to see You, Lord, but I’m going to bring this thing to shore myself,” or, like the disciples, I can willingly and wisely welcome Him into my boat. If the Lord has sent you into a storm and then seen you through that storm, don’t go back to the same stuff that caused the storm to be sent in the first place. Turn away. Say, “Lord, that storm almost sunk me. My marriage almost dissolved. My business almost went under. My kids were almost wiped out. It seemed so dark and impossible. But You came my way and told me to be of good cheer. You said You were still there, and You saw me through. Lord, I acknowledge that it’s You who sent the storm, and it’s You who stilled the storm. Therefore, I will not continue on that course one more day.” Sender of the Storm A Topical Study of Joh_6:15-21 The teacher walked into the third- and fourth-grade Sunday-school class just in time to hear one of the students pray. “Dear God,” said the nine-year-old, “bless our mothers and our fathers, and our sisters and brothers. And bless the teachers. And oh, by the way, God, take care of Yourself because if anything happens to You, we’re all sunk.” The text before us makes it clear to us that Jesus is unsinkable. Truly, our Lord and Friend is our Savior in the storm who will come when the hour is darkest, when the danger is greatest. But I want you to see something else here. That is, Jesus Christ is not only the Savior in the storm but also the Sender of the storm, for in Matthew’s account of this same story, Jesus commanded the disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee, even though a storm would be coming (Mat_14:22). Why would Jesus be the Sender of the very storm you’re going through presently? Why would He allow the wind to rise, and the waves to beat on your little boat? I submit four reasons why Jesus Christ, our Captain, our Savior in the storm, is also the Sender of the storm. He Sends Storms to Give Us New Direction They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits" end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.Psa_107:23-28 The Lord creates storms to cause sailors to come to their wits’ end. You see, in times of pride and pomposity we think, I’m captain of my ship and master of my fateuntil a storm suddenly and savagely comes into our life. Then we find ourselves calling out to the One for whom we had no time previously, or didn’t think we had need of personally. Paul says it’s the goodness of God that leads men to repentance (Rom_2:4). That’s the idealbut not always how it works practically. With those who don’t respond to His goodness, God must deal radically in order to get their attention. “What does it profit a man,” Jesus asked, “if he gain the whole world, but lose his soul?” (Mar_8:36). Sometimes the Lord may have to put us in a difficult situation to get our attention because He’s more concerned about our eternal state than He is about our present comfort. Truly, He sends storms to bring us to our wits’ end in order that we might call upon Him and change direction. He Sends Storms to Give Us Necessary Correction And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.Jon_2:2-3 God wanted to use Jonah greatly in Nineveh. But Jonah found a ship going in the opposite direction. It’s interesting how that works. Whenever you want to backslide, turn away, or sail in the opposite direction, guess who is in port with a ship all ready to go? Satan never says, “You want to backslide? Great! Where’s a ship? Somebody get me a ship!” Nope. He’s already got the ship in port, engines revved, sails set. Right now, Satan has a ship waiting for you if you want to jump on it. But the problem is, like Jonah, you pay for it (Jon_1:3). A man was telling me about his diet. “It seemed like the Lord spoke to my heart about cutting down,” he said. “But one day, I thought it might be His will that I have a donut. So I asked Him to give me a parking place right in front of the donut shop if it was His will. And sure enoughafter only the third time around the block, there one was!” Maybe some of you are circling around the block right now, saying, “Well, Lord, if You want me to get involved with him…” or “If you want me to go there…” It’ll probably happen because Satan always has a ship ready. But know this: If you’re running from God or trying to rationalize what you know is not His best for you, a storm is sure to follow. He Sends Storms to Give Us Needed Protection And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.Mat_14:21-22 The people had been fed miraculously, and now they wanted Jesus to rule them politically. Knowing this would sound like the moment His disciples had been waiting for and realizing it would seem like the fulfillment of their dreams, Jesus sent them away for their own protection. A fire department received a shipment of high-tech helmets. Brightly colored, scuff-resistant, adjustable-strapped, they were incredible works of art, complete with five-hundred-dollar price tags. There was only one problem: They melted when they got near heat. Likewise, the Lord has to say to you and me, “You’re getting your house together, and your car all shiny. You’re involved with this gadget and that gizmo, this hobby and the other activity. But they’re not going to take the heat.” When our lives are tested with fire at the judgment seat of Christ, that which is wood, hay, and stubble will burn.

Only that which is gold, silver, and precious stones will remain (1Co_3:12-15). So what does the Lord do? He says, “To get your mind off the material world, I’m sending you into a storm where you will wrestle with issues and struggle with difficulties. I’m watching over you, praying for you, and living right inside of you. But it’s a struggle you’ll have to go through in order that your focus can be shifted from the temporal to the eternal.” He Sends Storms to Nurture Perfection And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.Act_4:1-4 After feeding five thousand people, Jesus sent His disciples into a storm while He ascended to a mountain (Mat_14:23). I believe He did this to prepare them for the time He would ascend not to a mountain, but all the way to heaven. You see, in Acts 4, another crowd of five thousand appearsnot being fed but being saved. And immediately after the five thousand were saved, a storm of persecution broke out so brutal that the disciples were cast into prison. Thus, I believe the storm they went through in John for a couple of hours on the Sea of Galilee was simply preparatory for what would happen in the storm of persecution that would follow in Acts. Our Captain sees what tomorrow holds. That’s why He says, “As difficult as this might seem, it’s absolutely necessary to prepare you and perfect you for what is coming.” Suffice it to say, there were storms I went through previously that were absolutely necessary for the storms that would follow a decade later. Gang, the storms you and I are going through presently are necessary to enable us to navigate what lies ahead. So what should we do? Should we freak out, give up, turn back? Should we take a ship in the opposite direction? No. We should follow the example of the disciples, embrace the storm, and stay the course, knowing Jesus will appear to us at exactly the right moment, saying, “It is I; be not afraid.” Fellow sailors, be of good cheer, and rejoice that the Sender of the storm is also our Savior in the stormfor without Him, we’d all be sunk!

John 6:22

Realizing Jesus was no longer among them, the day after the feeding of the five thousand, the multitude began to look for Jesus in Capernaumnot to simply be with Him, but, as we will see, to get something from Him.

John 6:25

The multitude asked Jesus when He had come. Rather than answering them directly, Jesus dealt with the issue of why they had come, as if to say, “You came here not because you saw the meaning of the miracle, but because you wanted another free lunch.”

John 6:27

All of us realize material things are going to perish eventually, but Jesus says they’re perishing even presently. If you’re laboring for something in this worldbe it anything from a reputation to some kind of physical satisfactionit will never work. It’s cotton candy. You bite into it but there’s no substance. Whatever it is you’re striving for won’t fill you up because everything this side of heaven lacks solidity. Ninety-six percent of your body is nothing, zip, zero. It’s true. Your body is made up of atoms, which, in turn, are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Considering that the distance between the protons and neutrons of the nucleus, and the electrons outside the nucleus is proportionately greater than the distance from the sun to the farthest planet, Pluto, we’re talking a lot of empty space! Our bodies are space. Yet we pamper them, all the while wondering why we’re so spaced-out and discontent. The materialistic person doesn’t understand that reality lies in the spirit. He doesn’t understand that if, instead of looking to the physical, he would labor for true spiritual food, he would be satisfied presently and rewarded eternally. Next time you feel a craving for something earthly, let me suggest something infinitely better: Get in touch with reality. Spend time seeking that which is everlasting. Come into the presence of the Lord with praise and worship. You’re not truly craving the video or the hot fudge sundae. You’re not craving the sporting event or the bigger car. What you’re really craving is the everlasting food found only in the pursuit and enjoyment of God. The Lord isn’t sternly pointing His finger, saying, “Labor not for the meat that perishes.” He’s saying, “To live life fully, don’t get caught up in laboring for thingsphysical things, relational things, material things. Instead, put your energy and focus on that which leads to life everlasting.” In Jesus’ day, a baker would put his seal on the loaves of bread he baked. Thus, in using this terminology, Jesus is saying, “I bear the imprint of God the Father.”

John 6:28

“What must we do to do the works of God?” the crowd asked. “The work of God is singular,” Jesus answered. “It is that you believe on Me.”

John 6:30

“What sign can You give us to prove You indeed are the One whom the Father has sent?” asked the crowd. Only the day before, Jesus had miraculously fed five thousand. But the crowd asked for another sign because miracles never produce lasting faith.

John 6:31

Could it be that, as their stomachs were growling after their journey to Capernaum, the crowd is saying, “We’re hungry. Give us something to eatas Moses did”?

John 6:32

“Moses didn’t provide the manna in the wilderness. It came from My Father,” said Jesus.

John 6:33

Jesus was speaking of something infinitely greater than manna. He was speaking of Himself.

John 6:34

Like the woman in John 4 who asked for living water in order that she would no longer have to draw from the well, the crowd failed to understand that Jesus was not speaking in terms of the physical, but of the spiritual; not of the temporal, but of the eternal.

John 6:35

“I understand who Jesus is,” you say, “and I understand what’s being said. But I’m one who has been laboring for meat that perishes.” I have good news for you! Jesus says, “Of all which has been given to Me, I will lose nothing.” Check out verse Joh_6:12. Jesus said, “Gather up the fragmentsthe crumbs.” That’s me. You might feel “crumb-y,” insignificant, or fragmented. But Jesus says, “The called will understand My message, and none shall be lost.” You gotta love the Lord for speaking the truth in not only telling us how to live, but also saying, “Even when you fail, I’ve still got you and I’m going to see you through.” Jesus: The I Am A Topical Study of Joh_6:35 As we tucked three-year-old Benjamin in bed every night, his request was always the same: Sing “Allelu, Allelu, we have come into His presence, Allelu.” This is great! we thought. We’re raising a spiritual giant! After a few weeks, however, Benny asked, “When do we get His presents?” And suddenly it dawned on us that while we were singing, “We have come into His presence,” Ben was singing, “We have come into His presents"as in birthday and Christmas! That’s where the crowd was in Jesus’ day. They were thinking temporal and touchable, when Jesus was speaking to them of the spiritual and eternal. “Give us breadas Moses did,” they demanded of Jesus. Truly, the manna that sustained the people of Israel as they wandered through the wilderness for forty years was an interesting substance. It was small, round, and white. It tasted like honey and came from heaven. Its size speaks of humility. So, too, Jesus left His throne of glory to live among us (Php_2:7). Its color speaks of purity. So, too, our Lord has no sin, no spot whatsoever (1Pe_1:19). Its shape speaks of eternity. So, too, Jesus has neither beginning nor end (Rev_1:8). Its taste speaks of ecstasy. So, too, Jesus satisfies our deepest longing (Psa_34:8). Its origin speaks of deity. So, too, Jesus is one with the Father (Joh_10:30). Because the Jews failed to realize the manna Moses gave the children of Israel was nothing less than a picture of Him, however, Jesus uttered two words that should have taken the crowd all the way back to Exodus 3 when He said, “I AM.” You see, when Moses received God’s call to lead His people out of Egypt, he debated with God as to whether he would be able to do it. “Who should I say sent me to lead them into the Land of Promise?” Moses asked. “Who are You? What is Your name?” “My name is I AM,” answered the Lord (Exo_3:14). At this point, Moses must have scratched his head and thought, You are…what?not realizing that what God really is would only be fully and completely revealed when Jesus Christ came on the scene. At the end of His ministry, Jesus could say, “I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou hast given Me (Joh_17:6) because He filled in the blank completely and perfectly. Are you hungry today? Is there something gnawing in your soul? Are you dissatisfied? Are you empty? Jesus would say to you, “I am the Bread.” Are you in the dark today? Do you feel like you don’t know which way to turn? Jesus would say to you, “I am the Light.” Are you vulnerable, unsure, or fearful? Jesus would say to you, “I am the Door. I will protect you and keep out anything that would harm you.” Do you feel cut off and isolated? Jesus would say to you, “I am the Vine. Abide in Me. Cling to Me. Find your security in Me.” Gang, whatever you have need of, Jesus will be. “I am what?” He asks. “I’m everything.” The problem is that all too often we look for something from Jesus, instead of simply clinging to Him, moment by moment. If Benjamin had come to me as a toddler, saying he wanted to go home because he didn’t feel well, I could say, “Well, Ben, walk through the amphitheatre, take a left down the gravel path, turn right in the parking lot, go up the hill, stick your thumb out, and hitchhike on Highway 238 for eleven miles until you get to the bottom of Jacksonville Hill. Then take a left at Van Wey’s Market, turn right on G street, turn left on Huener Lane, go three houses down, and you’ll be there.” Or, I could have said, “Come here, Benny.” And I could have held him in my arms, walked out to the parking lot, and driven him home. That’s what Jesus does. He doesn’t tell us the way. He is the Way. “Whom seek ye?” He asked of the soldiers who had come to arrest Him. “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “Ego Eimi,” said Jesus. “I AM.” And the soldiersmost likely several hundred in numberfell over backward (Joh_18:4-6), knocked down not by anything Jesus did, but by the sheer power of who He is. So, too, once you grab this, once you see it’s not something Jesus gives to you, but who He is for you, you’ll be bowled over. You’ll say, “Lord, I’ve been asking for this continually and looking for that fervently. But in reality it’s all wrapped up in You personally. And if I rest in Your arms, I’ll end up at the right spot. If I stay close to You, I’ll be protected. If I cling to You, I’ll feel whole. If I allow You into my life, I’ll feel satisfied at last?” “That’s right,” Jesus answers. “I am the Way. I am the Door. I am the Vine. I am the Bread.” When the manna fell from heaven, the children of Israel could have done any one of four things… They could have picked it up. They could eat it morning by morning and receive strength for the day’s journeyjust as spending time with Jesus, the Bread of life, gives us strength for the challenges of each new day. They could have trampled on it. Those today who are unwilling to expend the energy or make the effort to partake of the Lord are essentially saying, “I don’t need the Lord. I can journey on without Him.” Desiring that none should perish, God laid down His life for us (2Pe_3:9). If, however, we reject Him, He’ll allow us to go to hell. But we’ll have to trample on Him to get there. They could have ignored it. So, too, you might not think you’re trampling on the Lordbut, you see, if the manna wasn’t gathered, it melted (Exo_16:21). Many times, people say, “I just don’t feel the Lord, or sense His strength.” And I always have to ask them, “Did you take time this morning to feed on Him and look to Himor were you simply too busy?” Oftentimes, it’s because I have neglected the Lord in the cool of the morning that He can’t be found in the heat of the day. Oh, He’s still there, for He never leaves us nor forsakes us. But I don’t perceive His presence. They could have stored it. Some said, “Hey this is too hard to do daily. Let’s gather a bunch of manna to tide us over for several days.” But you know what happened? It bred worms and stank (Exo_16:20). So, too, there are those who say, “I’ve had enough Bible study. I don’t need to go to church on Wednesday night. I don’t need to go to home fellowship. I’ve been doing this for some time. I’ve got enough stored up.” Usually, in about the third-to-fifth year of his walk, a believer finds himself vulnerable to saying, “I know it. I’ve got it down. I don’t need to hear the Gospel of John again. I don’t need to get up early and seek the Lord.” That’s why Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Mat_6:11). Day by day, He wants to be your I AM. Jesus is everything you have need of personally. The question is, are you going to slow down, stoop down, and pick up the Bread of Life? “I listen to tapes on my way to work,” you say. That’s fine. But the Lord isn’t in the fast-food business, gang. He prepares for us a table (Psa_23:5). He invites us to come and dine (Joh_21:12). He feeds us as we sit in His presence (Joh_6:10). Each day, may God grace you with the simple reminder that He is the Bread, the Manna sent from heaven. Take the time to feed on Him, and you’ll find He will satisfy you now and forevermore.

John 6:41

When the manna was given in the wilderness, what did the people do? They murmured (Exo_17:3). And now they’re murmuring once more in response to Jesus’ statement that He is the “bread sent from heaven.”

John 6:42

The crowd was, of course, wrong. Jesus wasn’t Joseph’s son. He’s God’s Son. “Murmur not,” Jesus said. We have a saying that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Consequently, murmuring and complaining are sort of acceptable to us. 1Co_10:10, however, teaches otherwisefor sometimes rather than getting the grease, the squeaky wheel gets replaced.

John 6:44

When the crowd said, “We know Him. He’s the son of Joseph,” Jesus didn’t correct them because the real issue was that they simply believe that He is the “bread sent from heaven"an impossible feat for them unless the Father drew them.

John 6:49

The human being can survive longer on bread than on any other substance. Although it is baked in different ways and fixed in different forms, bread is truly cross-cultural. It’s also extremely palatable, for most of us eat some sort of bread every day. But the most intriguing aspect about Jesus’ identification with bread is the process by which bread is made. That is, a seed of grain is planted in the ground. After some weeks, it springs up and grows into maturity. Then it is cut down, ground up, and placed in the fire. After it is thoroughly baked, it is enjoyed by humanity. That’s exactly what happened to Jesus. A seed was planted in the womb of Mary miraculously. God Incarnate came forth and grew to maturity. He was cut down as He was pinned to the Cross; ground up as He was cursed and spat upon; and placed in the fire of God’s wrath as He absorbed all of our sin. And because He had been planted, cut down, ground up, and burned in the very fire of God’s wrath, you and I have the opportunity to eat of Him dailynever tiring of Him, always receiving strength and sustenance for the challenges of any given day. Truly, Jesus is the Bread of Life. The analogy is perfect.

John 6:52

As the Jews wondered what He meant, Jesus began to explain the absolute necessity of their taking this teaching and applying it personally. In other words, they would have to eat of His body or they would not live. Biblically, we can understand what it means to eat of Jesus when we understand what happened to Adam and Eve when they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It was after they ate the forbidden fruit that they fell because they no longer were completely and constantly dependent on the Father. You see, prior to the Fall, whenever they had questions, whenever they had problems, whenever there might be confusion, they said, “Father, what should we do?” But once they ate of the forbidden fruit, they became independent. They no longer talked to their Abba, their Papa, their Father. They said instead, “We know what’s good. We know what’s evil. We know how to handle this or accomplish that.” Here, Jesus says, “You’ve eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and it led to your fall. Now eat of Me, the Tree of Life. Internalize Me. Allow Me to come into the deepest recess of your being. Allow Me to take control of your life. Practically, we can understand what it means to eat of Jesus, when we realize that, although we can get by without exercise, excitement, or education, we can’t get by without eating. We may not do a lot of things we think we should do. But there is one thing we make sure we do: We eat. And here the Lord, in using this analogy, gets very practical when He says, “I want to be the priority of your life. Make it a necessity to eat of Me daily and consistently. Mystically, we can understand what it means to eat of Jesus when we come to Communion. Paul wrote that many in the church at Corinth were weak, sick, and had even died unnecessarily because they had not given worth to the Lord’s table (1Co_11:30). The same, in a sense, is still true. I believe the reason so much of Protestant Christianity is sterile, boring, and impotent is because a lot of Protestants, in overreaction to Catholicism, have reduced the importance and necessity of the Eucharist. There is a tremendous power in the Lord’s Supper. While I do not believe that the elements are literally transformed into the Lord’s body and blood, neither do I believe they are nothing more than symbols, for I have experienced grace and power at the Communion table that I have found nowhere else. Perhaps that is why Satan seems to try to keep people away from Communion even more than from Bible study.

John 6:59

The Greek text makes it clear that the disciples found Jesus’ saying hard not because they couldn’t understand it, but because it was offensive.

John 6:61

“If this offends you,” said Jesus, “how will you feel when you see Me ascend to heaven by way of a Cross?”

John 6:63

We’re not able to comprehend intellectually the mystery of the Lord’s table or what it means to eat of Him personally. It is only by the Spirit that we can receive revelation.

John 6:64

Jesus didn’t plead with those who left. He didn’t say, “Let Me explain further.” He neither ran after them nor reasoned with them because He knew they could not understand unless the Father had drawn them. Sometimes we spend hours talking and days dialoguing when we should be following the example of Jesusrealizing that unless the Father is drawing, no one can come. I sense such a “relaxed-ness” in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Not striving, not struggling, not straining to persuade, He simply shared the truth, knowing the Spirit would give application in the hearts of those the Father had drawn.

John 6:67

“Where else can we go?” asked Peter. Too often, our answer is, “Cinema 5, Blockbuster Video, Red Lion.” We could fill in the blank all too easily, I’m afraid. But Peter had already done all the world’s stuff. He knew it was bankrupt. Although they were no doubt excited and inspired by Jesus’ works, Peter and the boys were converted and committed by Jesus’ words. May this be a place corporately, and may we be people individually who understand that conversion and commitment are based not upon signs or miracles, entertainment, hype, or hoopla, but upon the Word of God. I’ve heard people say, “We don’t want to study the Bible. We just want to move in the Spirit.” Yet I don’t know how much more Spirit-filled a meeting can be than one in which the words of Jesus Christ are proclaimed, for the words He speaks are Spirit and life (verse Joh_6:63).

John 6:69

Note the order: We believe and are sure. People often say, “I would believe if I could be sure.” But the way of the Lord is always believe first and then you will be sure, for it is only through faith that we can understand (Heb_11:3).

John 6:70

After seeing the crowds walk away from Him, I’m sure there was a momentary smile on Jesus’ face as He looked at the twelve who stood beside Him. As He corrected Peter’s misconception that all twelve “believed and were sure,” the smile must have slowly faded from Jesus’ face. Why Jesus Chose Judas A Topical Study of Joh_6:70-71 As the crowd turned away and as the twelve chose to stay, Jesus said there was one in their midst who would betray Him. Why did Jesus choose Judas? Yes, Jesus had to die on the Cross for the sin of humanity. Yes, Judas was part of that plan. But why did it have to be one of His inner circle who betrayed Him? Why couldn’t it have been a Roman soldier, a Pharisee, or a government leader? Why did it have to be one of His own, one whom He had chosen? I’d like to suggest several reasons… Jesus Chose Judas in Order to Fulfill Bible Prophecy The Old Testament contains over three hundred exacting prophecies concerning Messiah, including where He would be born, how He would be born, where He would live, how He would be betrayed, and how He would die. Psa_41:9 is one of those three hundred: “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” By the time Jesus was twelve years old, His knowledge of the Word was so incredible that He blew the minds of the religious scholars in Jerusalem (Luk_2:46-47). Jesus knew the Word. Therefore, I wonder what His morning devotions were like as He read prophecy after prophecy that spoke of His own suffering and death. If you really want to mature in your Christian walk, I suggest you go through your Bibles regularly and claim the promises you have not underlinedthose that you have sought to avoid. I’ve never found “Yea all those who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution,” (see 2Ti_3:12) in a “Coffee With Christ” promise box. I’ve yet to read, “Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake” (see Mat_5:11) in a “Minute with the Master” devotional. There’s a big difference between the promises we underline and the full counsel of God. Many brothers and sisters err, I believe, by failing to recognize and claim the promises that are a little bit tougher. Jesus chose Judas because He knew the Scriptures and, as difficult as it was, He knew it was part of the plan of the Father for Him according to the Word. Jesus Chose Judas in Order to Relate to You Personally Maybe you have been hurt by someone who has betrayed your trust, broken your heart, misunderstood your motive, and “lifted his heel against you” to kick you in the teeth. Jesus Christ knows exactly how you feel. He was tempted in all points like as we are (Heb_4:15). There’s not a single temptation or hurt you’ll ever face that Jesus didn’t feel. No matter what your pain is, no matter what your vulnerability might be, Jesus can sympathize because He’s gone through the very same trials. Jesus Chose Judas as an Impartial Witness of His Moral Excellency After Judas betrayed Jesus, he threw his reward away, saying, “I have betrayed innocent blood” (Mat_27:4). This one who was out to destroy Jesus, this one who had lived daily with Jesus concluded he never saw Jesus do a single thing wrong. When you apply for a job and are asked for references, do you list the person who hates you, the person who has a grudge against you, the person who is mad at you? That’s what Jesus did. His character reference is the one who was determined to destroy Him, the one who was disappointed in Him, the one who betrayed Him. It’s a testimony to the moral excellence of our Lord that even the one who hated Him the most had to admit He never did anything amiss. Jesus Chose Judas in Order to Enlighten Us about Hypocrisy “The church is full of hypocrites,” grumbles the non-believeras if this is a new revelation. Listen, if there was a hypocrite even in Jesus’ inner circle, there are sure to be hypocrites in the church today. Jesus warned that, along with the wheat, tares were sure to grow (Mat_13:24-30). And His own disciples were no exception. Jesus Chose Judas in Order to Warn Us Powerfully When Jesus sat at the table and said one would betray Him, no one pointed a finger and said, “It’s the guy down there with the black cape, the black hat, the beady eyes, and the handlebar mustache. It’s Judas.” No, no one suspected Judas. No one even suggested Judas. On the contrary, each of the men around the table suspected only himself (Mat_26:22). Why did Jesus reveal Judas as being the betrayer at this point in John 6? Because this was the moment when something must have clicked within Judas, when something dark began to happen, when Judas became disappointed in the Lord. Jesus, Judas must have thought, You missed Your chance. A crowd of people wants You to be their kingbut You turn them away by telling them to eat of Your body and drink of Your blood? It’s political stupidity. It doesn’t pay off financially. It’s crazy. So, too, there are hundreds of people in the Rogue Valley in Oregon who, although they were once on fire for Jesus Christ, turned their backs on Him when He failed to bless their little kingdoms. If things aren’t going the way you think they should at work, at home, financially, professionally, or relationallywatch out. At that point, if you’re not careful, you will become disappointed because the Lord is not doing what you think He should, and you will be vulnerable to turning your back on Him. Jesus Chose Judas in Order to Show His Beauty “Friend, wherefore art thou come?” Jesus asked Judas (Mat_26:50). Jesus called Judas His friend even as Judas was in the very act of betraying Him. Maybe you can relate to Judas. Maybe you’ve been demanding your own way. Maybe you’ve become vulnerable to bitterness. Maybe you’re disappointed in the Lord. I have good news for you: Not a single person sitting here is in a worse place than was Judas at this point. And Jesus called Judas “Friend.” “Wherefore art thou come?” Jesus asked Judas. Certainly He knew why Judas was there. But I believe He was giving Judas one more opportunity to rethink what he was doing, to turn, to repent, to get right. So, too, the Lord could be saying to you today, “Wherefore art thou come? I’m giving you one more opportunity to come to Me.” The invitation is yours. You can take advantage of the beauty of Jesus right now. You can say, “I surrender, Lord. I’m no longer demanding my will or fighting for my way. Today I give myself totally, wholeheartedly to You.” And such is my prayer for each of us.