Jesus: Our Source of Life and Dependence
Summary
In exploring the question, “Who is Jesus?”, it’s easy to get caught up in what others say about Him, but there’s something powerful about hearing Jesus describe Himself in His own words. In John 6 and 8, Jesus makes two bold declarations: “I am the bread of life” and “I am the light of the world.” These aren’t just poetic statements; they are invitations to a deeper, more dependent relationship with Him. Jesus isn’t interested in being a magician who simply performs miracles on demand, nor is He a baker who exists to satisfy our cravings for the next best thing. Instead, He calls us to a life where He is the source, not the supplement.
We live in a culture obsessed with performance and production. Like magicians and bakers on reality shows, we feel pressure to impress, to provide, and to keep up appearances. But Jesus cuts through all of that, telling us that the only “work” God truly desires is that we believe in the One He has sent. Belief is harder than doing because it requires surrender—letting go of control, outcomes, and timelines. It’s easier to ask God to help us do something than to trust Him to do it in His way and time.
Jesus’ words about eating His flesh and drinking His blood were deeply offensive to His audience, not because He was advocating something grotesque, but because He was demanding total dependence. He was challenging their comfort zones, their routines, and their religious familiarity. Many walked away, unable to accept a Messiah who wouldn’t just meet their needs but demanded their whole lives. Yet Peter’s response is the model for us: “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” True maturity in faith is moving from “Jesus, show me” to “Jesus, feed me”—from seeking signs to seeking Him as the source.
The challenge is to examine where Jesus has become just another ingredient in our lives, rather than the bread and light that sustains us. Until He alone is enough, nothing else will ever satisfy. The invitation is to move beyond performance, beyond comfort, and into a life of radical dependence on Jesus, trusting that He alone has the words of life.
Key Takeaways
- Belief Over Performance: The greatest work God asks of us is not to perform or produce, but to believe in Jesus. This belief is not passive; it’s an active surrender of our need to control outcomes, trusting that God’s timeline and methods are better than our own. True faith is harder than action because it requires letting go of our own strength and wisdom. [14:22]
- Jesus as Source, Not Supplement: Many of us treat Jesus as an add-on to our already full lives, hoping He’ll enhance what we’ve built. But Jesus insists on being the source, not a supplement. When we only sprinkle Him into our plans, we remain unsatisfied, because He was never meant to be just a part of our lives—He is meant to be our everything. [24:33]
- The Offense of Total Dependence: Jesus’ call to “eat His flesh and drink His blood” is a radical invitation to total dependence, not just religious routine. This level of surrender will inevitably offend our comfort zones and challenge our self-sufficiency. If Jesus hasn’t made us uncomfortable, we may not be following Him as Lord, only as Savior. [33:08]
- Maturity Means Seeking the Giver, Not Just the Gifts: Immaturity says, “Jesus, show me,” demanding signs and wonders. Maturity says, “Jesus, feed me,” seeking Him as the source of life, even when motives are mixed or understanding is incomplete. God honors those who come to Him, even with imperfect motives, as long as they are willing to receive Him as enough. [19:54]
- Radical Commitment in the Face of Discomfort: When Jesus’ words and ways become hard to accept, the mature response is not to walk away, but to echo Peter: “Where else would we go? You alone have the words of life.” Our commitment must be rooted in who Jesus is, not just what He does for us, trusting that dependence on Him is the only path to true fulfillment. [38:00]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Foundations: Who Is Jesus?
[01:23] - Letting Jesus Speak for Himself
[02:25] - Jesus: The Bread of Life
[02:57] - Jesus: The Light of the World
[05:02] - Magicians vs. Bakers: Performance and Production
[07:29] - The Pressure to Perform and Produce
[08:35] - Feeding the Five Thousand: The Demand for More
[10:18] - Full but Unfulfilled
[11:12] - The True Treasure in the Treasury
[13:58] - Belief Is Greater Than Doing
[18:23] - Immaturity vs. Maturity in Faith
[24:33] - Jesus as Source, Not Supplement
[26:04] - The Offense of Jesus’ Words
[31:16] - The Call to Total Dependence
[38:00] - Peter’s Radical Commitment
[42:04] - Personal Reflection and Invitation
[45:31] - Responding to Jesus’ Invitation
[47:03] - Next Steps and Closing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Who is Jesus? – Bread, Light, and the Call to Dependence”
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### Bible Reading
- John 6:28-35
(Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”)
- John 6:53-68
(Jesus says, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.” Many disciples leave, but Peter responds, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.”)
- John 8:12
(Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”)
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### Observation Questions
1. In John 6, what did the crowd want from Jesus after he fed the five thousand? How did Jesus respond to their request for more signs? ([09:14])
2. What two bold statements does Jesus make about himself in John 6 and John 8? ([02:42])
3. How did the people react when Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” and talked about eating his flesh and drinking his blood? ([21:08])
4. What was Peter’s response when Jesus asked if the disciples would leave too? ([38:00])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized belief over performance or doing good works? What does it mean that “the only work God wants from you is to believe in the one he has sent”? ([13:58])
2. The sermon says that Jesus wants to be the source, not a supplement, in our lives. What’s the difference between treating Jesus as the source versus an add-on? ([24:33])
3. Why were Jesus’ words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood so offensive to his audience? What was he really asking of them? ([26:04])
4. The sermon contrasts “Jesus, show me” (immaturity) with “Jesus, feed me” (maturity). What does it look like to move from seeking signs to seeking Jesus himself? ([19:54])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talks about living in a culture obsessed with performance and production. In what areas of your life do you feel pressure to perform or produce, even in your faith? How does this affect your relationship with Jesus? ([07:29])
2. Are there ways you have treated Jesus as just another ingredient in your life, rather than the bread and light that sustains you? What would it look like to make him your source instead of a supplement? ([24:33])
3. Jesus’ call to total dependence can be uncomfortable and even offensive to our comfort zones. What is one area where you feel Jesus is challenging your self-sufficiency or comfort? How are you responding? ([33:08])
4. When have you found yourself asking God for a sign or a miracle, rather than simply trusting him? What would it look like to surrender control and trust his timing and methods? ([14:22])
5. Peter’s response was, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” When following Jesus gets hard or uncomfortable, what keeps you from walking away? What would it look like to root your commitment in who Jesus is, not just what he does for you? ([38:00])
6. The sermon asks, “Am I truly dependent on Jesus for my purpose and fulfillment?” How would you honestly answer that question right now? What is one step you could take this week to depend on Jesus more fully? ([42:04])
7. Has the “bread” (Jesus) become stale or the “light” lost its luster in your life? If so, what might be causing that, and what could you do to renew your hunger and dependence on him? ([45:10])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for a deeper dependence on Jesus, asking him to be the true source of life, purpose, and fulfillment. Pray for courage to surrender control and trust him, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Is the Bread of Life—Our True Source of Fulfillment
Jesus declares Himself to be the bread of life, offering a fulfillment that goes beyond physical needs and temporary satisfaction. In a world where we often chase after more—more success, more experiences, more possessions—we can find ourselves full but still unfulfilled. Jesus invites us to come to Him not just for what He can do, but for who He is, promising that whoever comes to Him will never hunger or thirst again. He is not a supplement to our lives, but the very source of life itself. [02:42]
John 6:35 (ESV)
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
Reflection: In what area of your life are you seeking fulfillment apart from Jesus, and how can you intentionally turn to Him as your true source today?
Day 2: Jesus Is the Light of the World—Guiding Us Out of Darkness
Jesus proclaims that He is the light of the world, promising that those who follow Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light that leads to life. We often look for clarity, direction, or the next “shiny thing” to guide us, but Jesus calls us to follow Him, not just use Him for answers. He is not just a means to an end; He is the purpose and the path. When we let His light lead us, we find true life and direction, even when the world around us feels confusing or dark. [02:57]
John 8:12 (ESV)
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Reflection: Where are you tempted to look for guidance or purpose outside of Jesus, and what would it look like to let His light lead you today?
Day 3: Believing Is Greater Than Doing—Trust Over Performance
Jesus teaches that the only work God truly desires from us is to believe in the One He has sent. In a culture obsessed with performance and productivity, it’s easy to measure our worth by what we do for God or others. But Jesus calls us to a deeper trust—a surrender of control, timeline, and outcomes. True maturity in faith is not about how much we can accomplish, but about how deeply we can trust and believe in Him, even when we don’t see immediate results. [13:58]
John 6:28-29 (ESV)
Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
Reflection: What is one area where you are striving to perform for God or others, and how can you practice trusting and believing in Jesus instead of relying on your own efforts today?
Day 4: Jesus Wants Total Dependence—Not Just a Piece of Your Life
Jesus’ call to “eat my flesh and drink my blood” is a radical invitation to total dependence on Him, not just a comfortable, routine faith. He challenges us to move beyond using Him as a spiritual supplement and instead make Him the very foundation and sustenance of our lives. This level of surrender can feel uncomfortable or even offensive, but it is the path to true life and maturity. Jesus wants every part of us—our routines, our pride, our resources, and our deepest desires—to be anchored in Him alone. [31:16]
John 6:53-56 (ESV)
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are holding back from total dependence on Jesus, and what step can you take today to surrender that area to Him?
Day 5: Commitment to Jesus—Choosing Him Even When It’s Hard
When many turned away from Jesus because His teaching was difficult, Peter responded, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.” True commitment to Jesus means following Him not just when it’s easy or comfortable, but even when His call challenges our preferences, routines, or expectations. It’s a decision to trust that Jesus alone is enough, even if everything else falls away. This kind of faith transforms us from casual observers to devoted followers, anchored in the One who truly satisfies. [36:46]
John 6:66-69 (ESV)
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
Reflection: When following Jesus becomes uncomfortable or costly, what helps you stay committed to Him, and how can you reaffirm your trust in Him today?
Quotes
We live in a society now to where it's not good enough to just bake. Like we have these reality shows. Have y'all ever seen the show uh um what's that one? I just What a train of thought. The baking show. The one where they got to bake stuff and has to be super creative. There's a million of them. They're all on Netflix. I got a 12-year-old. That's all she watches. Just matter of fact, bring me a cake. Let me Let me show you. I can show you better. Obviously, I can't remember her name, but like they got to like create this in 3 minutes and and and and it's and it's this whole thing like like bakers now can't just bake. [00:06:22]
But here's what's what's crazy is that we live in a society now to where it's not good enough to just bake. Like we have these reality shows. Have y'all ever seen the show uh um what's that one? I just What a train of thought. The baking show. The one where they got to bake stuff and has to be super creative. There's a million of them. They're all on Netflix. I got a 12-year-old. That's all she watches. Just matter of fact, bring me a cake. Let me Let me show you. I can show you better. [00:06:16]
But then they’re like, "We want more." So Jesus is like, "I'm done with y'all." So then Jesus goes and walks on water. That's how stressed he was. Like I don't even want to take a boat. I just got to walk through the storm. And then he ends up on this other side and they find him again like stage five clingers. And then this is what we see. It says ma John chapter John chapter 6 verse 25 when they found him on the other side of the sea they said to him rabbi when did you come here? [00:09:14]
We we see Jesus articulating to them that you're not coming to me because you want me, it's cuz you want something from me. And and and what you're looking for is to just be filled again from the the bread I gave you last time. And what I found out is that we live in a society where we're not lacking for bread. We're lacking for fulfillment because we're full but we're unfulfilled. Calendars full. Contact list and your phone full. Bank account full. Resume full. But yet everything that you're full of has still left you unfulfilled. [00:10:09]
So you're like, "Jesus, do it again. I I know what I prayed for last time, but I I I I need something else. And Jesus is like, you're you're looking for the wrong thing. Then in John 8, Jesus says this. It says, Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness because you will have the light that leads to life. Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the temple known as the treasury. [00:10:52]
But he was not arrested because his time had not yet come. I thought it was interesting. Jesus is is teaching in the temple, but not just in the temple, in a section called the treasury. And so he's trying to tell people that he is the treasure in the treasury. And they're like, "No, he's talking crazy. Let me just come in to the temple for what I need and let me leave." And Jesus is like, "You're you're you're missing it. Where's where's my light?" He says, "This is how I envision Jesus." He's like, "I'm the light of the world." [00:11:30]
But that's what we do with Jesus. We use Jesus as a means to the end. Like Jesus, I just Jesus, give me clarity for this major decision. You make the major decision. You're like, cool, Jesus. I got it from here. Jesus, show me my purpose. Jesus is like, I am the purpose. You're like, no, no, no. Like, show me who? Show me what? Show me where? Just show me. And he was like, "How about you just follow me?" But it's much easier and honestly, it's a lot sexier to just use the light when you need it and then find the next thing that's shiny. [00:12:42]
Believing is greater than doing. You're like, "What do you mean?" Because honestly, it's harder to believe in Jesus's name than to do things in Jesus's name. If I do things for Jesus, I can control the outcome. I can control the timeline. I can control the output. So often times, I don't know if you're like me, but I find myself praying things like, "God, help me do this. God, give me the wisdom to do this. God, give me the favor so I can do that." Instead of, "God, help me to believe that you'll do it." [00:14:01]
Because now all of a sudden, I have no control of how much effort I got to put. I don't I don't know. Like I don't know what he's going to ask me to do if I ask him to do it. I don't know how long it's going to take if I ask if I believe he's going to do it. Now all of a sudden it's his timeline, not mine. Like the hardest thing as a follower of Jesus is to actually believe in Jesus. Because if I just ask Jesus to help me do it, that's easy. [00:14:29]
But if I give up the the tendency to base the outcome on my output or on my timeline or on my dream for it all of a sudden that that's a oh man that's that's a whole lot of codependence on Jesus. I want to be an independent man. I I got this. I just need God to bless my dream. But I could do it. And that's what the people are saying. They're like, "We want to do God's work, too. What do we need to do?" Jesus is like, "Only thing you need to do is believe." [00:15:34]
If you don't believe Jesus is enough, then he can't be. If you don't fully believe that Jesus is enough, then he can't be. Matter of fact, we see this all through scripture. The Bible says Jesus was unable to perform miracles in his own hometown because they were too familiar with him. Are you too familiar with Jesus for him to feed you? I I know. I know. I pray. I go to church. I know the things. But you haven't changed Sunday to Monday because you just think church is just singing a few songs, showing up, getting a good word. [00:24:01]
But if he is not actually the end all be all for your life and you have these things where it's like I just need to add a little bit of Jesus to my cake. I just need to add a little bit of Jesus to my steak. I just need to add a little bit of Jesus. No wonder you're unsatisfied because Jesus was never meant to be a supplement. He was meant to be the source. [00:24:31]
And the Bible says in verse 60 of that same chapter, many of the disciples said, "This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?" And they're being honest. They're being they're being they're being real. They're like I was good with Jesus when he was out there doing his little everybody. I I was good with Jesus when he was like I'm the bread of life. You like you are that. Come on, bake me another one. I I was good with Jesus when I gave him a little bit and he turned in. I was good with that version of Jesus. [00:32:05]
But the Jesus that's saying until you are so dependent on me that nothing else satisfies you, you're going to eventually die. And the disciples are like, "Uh, this isn't how we grow a church, Jesus. This is not going to get us trending in the right direction on social media, Jesus. This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?" And it says Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining. So he said to them, "Does this offend you? Does this offend you?" [00:32:45]
If Jesus hasn't offended you yet, you don't really know Jesus. Because if Jesus is this safe, kosher, comfortable Messiah for you, that's just the savior, then you don't understand the other side of him being Lord. What part of Jesus offends you? Cuz that's probably the part that you ignore. That's the part where you're like, "Yeah, yeah, I prayed. I prayed about what? Jesus does not just want your worship on a Sunday. He wants your sexual activity and your sex life on Saturday night, that's too much." [00:33:14]
But if Jesus only has your hands but doesn't have your body, he doesn't have you. Jesus does not just want your prayers for him to fix other people in your family. Jesus wants your pride because it is your pride that is killing the relationship, not him not answering your prayers. Because your family in your hands, your friends in your hands, they will eventually die. Jesus does not just want your works. He wants your wallet. Because if your works are what you're dependent on for security, then you will die in the place of not trusting him to have faith to be Jehovah Gyra, the provider. [00:34:10]
But this is where we get offended cuz we don't mind coming to Jesus for the magic show. We don't mind coming to Jesus when we ran out of bread. But when he says, "I now need you to stop being immature and to feast and feed on me and to live off of me." That's when we're like, "It doesn't take all that." What is that for you? What is the level where you're like, "It doesn't take all that." You walk in here full of pride. Worship teams like the altars are open. It doesn't take all that. [00:34:57]
The level that Jesus offends you is the level he's trying to grow you from immaturity to maturity. But but too often, this is our response. We do exactly what they do in scripture. This is what the Bible says. It says verse 66, "At this point, many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the twel and asked, "Are you also going to leave?" But I love this. Simon Peter replied,"Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe and we know you are the holy one of God." [00:35:25]
How committed am I to this Jesus? Is my commitment based on what he does for me or who he is to me? Because even if he doesn't answer my prayer requests at the time I wanted him to or in the way I wanted him to, where else would I go? Even if he doesn't produce for me the way I expected the baker Jesus to produce for me, even if the end result doesn't look like this, it just looks like this. Where else would I go? Even if the things he's asking me to do are way outside my comfort zone or personality type or budget, where else would I go? [00:39:07]
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