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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. 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.’ ” 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. (John 6:24-35 NIV Bible)
The first time I tired Cuban lechón, a slow-cooked, savory pork dish, I almost, I repeat, almost, asked for the tortillas! I can only imagine what the wait person would have said to me! I felt cheated! Such a delicous meat and no, to quote my pastor, Matt Pennington, "cloud of heaven" as he refers to flour tortillas, in which to place that melt-in-your-mouth meat to enhance the flavor, I felt cheated! I did hear from a wait person at Mr. Taco, when I was trying to be good I ordered a Low Carb breakfast and when the plate came I asked, "Where are the tortillas?" She laughed and reminded me, "You asked for the low carb breakfast, sir!" Oh. Right. My wife laughed.
Bread has a rightful place in life, and a more important place on our plates. It has held that place since someone figured out how to take grain and turn it into something wonderful. A quick search shows that some 30,000 years ago, grinding stones existed in Australia and Europe, indicating that wheat had been domesticated and turned into bread. In our area of the world, the Mayans took corn and made tortillas and tamales. And in Jesus' time, bread as a staple, filled many an empty belly at the right time. So much so, this passage relates how the crowds followed Jesus for the reason of finding more bread to eat. Why else would these in the crowd have gotten into boats to cross over to Capernaum to find Jesus. Jesus plainly tells them, "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." Ouch. But, can you blame them? An empty stomach will eagerly and thankfully receive a gift of bread; and not just any bread, but a miracle bread made by God; can you imagine the taste of such a bread? I ain't gonna lie, I would have swam across to get to that bread! But note that Jesus also warns, "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life." This bread, besides tasting good, served a purpose - to ready them for a life that does not end with death. Jesus is talking about what the title says, but at this point in the passage, He must prepare them for that. He says plainly, "The Son of Man will give you this bread, because God has placed the God's Seal of Approval on His Son. Of course, they ask, "What all do we have to do to receive this?" Jesus says, "Believe in me."
What evidence they demand to know, will we receive to know that we truly have seen You? They ask about what their ancestors had in the old days of manna in the wilderness, to which Jesus answers, "It was not Moses that gave you bread from Heaven, but it was my Fathers who gives you the true bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world." Boom! They said, as we should be saying, "Sir, always give us this bread!" Wait for it. Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life." Bam! "Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thristy."
Jesus shifts their focus from the temporary to the eternal. He invites them—and us—to seek not just for the bread that fills our stomachs but for the "bread of life" that satisfies our deepest spiritual hunger. This “bread” is not a mere substance but a person—Jesus Himself. He reveals that true sustenance is found in Him, and that believing in Him is the work God desires.
Jesus' declaration, “I am the bread of life,” is an invitation to trust Him fully. Just as bread nourishes the body, Jesus nourishes the soul. He promises that those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst spiritually. This is a promise of profound and unending fulfillment.
Dear one, why go around hungry when we have access to that bread which fills not only the hungry areas of our souls, but also ends the thirst in our life? Ask, and be filled and satisfied!
PRAYER: Awesome God, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, who is the Bread of Life. We often find ourselves seeking temporary satisfactions and missing the deeper nourishment You offer. Help us to recognize that true fulfillment comes from a relationship with Jesus. Open our hearts to receive His sustenance and to trust in His promises. Teach us to prioritize eternal needs over fleeting desires and to fully embrace the life He provides. Guide us in our daily walk to be more like Him, and let our lives reflect the abundance of Your grace. We thank You for Your provision and pray that we may continually seek the bread that endures forever. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Reflect on how you can turn those desires towards seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus. Make it a point to read Scripture daily, spend time in prayer, and involve yourself in activities that strengthen your spiritual walk. Look for opportunities to share the Bread of Life with others who may be searching for true fulfillment. Let your life be a testament to the nourishment that only Christ can provide.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
