Jesus: The Essential Bread of Life
Summary
In the message delivered by Debbie Jones at Freedom Church Jersey, the focus is on the profound statement made by Jesus in John 6, "I am the bread of life." This declaration is not just a casual metaphor but a deep spiritual truth that resonates throughout the Christian faith. The message begins by exploring the significance of bread as a universal staple, necessary for physical sustenance, and how Jesus uses this common element to illustrate a spiritual reality that He is essential for spiritual life.
The narrative of Jesus feeding the 5,000 is revisited, highlighting the miracle of physical provision. However, the emphasis shifts to the following day when Jesus challenges the crowd's understanding of their needs, pointing them to a greater hunger – that of the soul. The crowd's initial response to Jesus' miracle was to seek Him out for more physical sustenance, but Jesus redirects their focus to the "food that endures for eternal life," which He offers.
Jones delves into the various responses to Jesus' claim of being the bread of life. First, there are demands for proof and works, as the crowd grapples with the concept of a free gift of grace. They struggle with the idea that eternal life is something given, not earned. This reflects a broader human tendency to want to merit what we receive, which can be a barrier to accepting the grace of God.
The second response is doubt, as some question Jesus' origins and authority. They know Jesus' earthly family and cannot reconcile His claim of coming down from heaven. Jesus responds to their doubts not with condemnation but with an invitation to believe and receive eternal life.
The third response is difficulty, as some followers find Jesus' teachings hard to accept, particularly the idea of eating His flesh and drinking His blood. This teaching, meant to foreshadow Jesus' sacrifice and the establishment of the New Covenant, is misunderstood literally, causing many to turn away. Jones shares a personal reflection on wrestling with difficult scriptures and the importance of seeking deeper understanding rather than avoiding challenging teachings.
The final response is devotion, as exemplified by Peter, who, despite not understanding everything, recognizes Jesus as the Holy One of God and the source of eternal life. Jones shares her own journey of faith, describing a time when she felt caught between the world and her faith, ultimately choosing to commit her life to Jesus and finding her true home with Him.
The message concludes with a call to personal decision. Just as Jesus asked His disciples if they were also going to leave, Jones challenges listeners to consider if they have gone far enough in their faith or if they are willing to go deeper. She encourages a commitment to Jesus, the bread of life, who alone can satisfy the deepest hunger of the soul.
Key Takeaways:
- The concept of Jesus as the bread of life is a universal spiritual truth that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries. Just as bread is a staple food for physical nourishment, Jesus is essential for spiritual sustenance. This analogy invites individuals to reflect on their spiritual diet and prioritize their soul's nourishment over temporary, material concerns. [55:00]
- The human inclination to earn rather than receive freely can be a significant obstacle in accepting the grace of God. The challenge lies in overcoming the pride of self-sufficiency to embrace the gift of eternal life offered through Jesus Christ. This struggle is as relevant today as it was for the crowd following Jesus, reminding believers to continually surrender to the grace that cannot be earned. [01:07:15]
- Doubt and difficulty in understanding spiritual truths are common experiences, even among those who follow Jesus. The key is not to avoid these challenges but to engage with them, seeking deeper comprehension and trusting in the character of God. This process can lead to a more robust and resilient faith. [01:13:34]
- A personal relationship with Jesus requires a conscious decision and commitment. It is not inherited or absorbed through cultural or familial association. Each individual must respond to Jesus' invitation to believe and receive Him as the source of eternal life. This decision is the gateway to a fulfilling spiritual journey. [01:18:54]
- Spiritual growth is an ongoing process that involves continually seeking to go deeper in one's relationship with Jesus. It is not about complacency or routine but about an active pursuit of greater intimacy with God. This pursuit promises a deeper sense of belonging and purpose, as one finds their true fit in the presence of the Great I Am. [01:26:13]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 6:25-35 (NIV)
> When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 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. 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.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 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. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 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.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the crowd's initial reaction to Jesus' miracle of feeding the 5,000, and how did their focus shift the next day? ([56:58])
2. How did Jesus challenge the crowd's understanding of their needs in John 6:27? ([59:55])
3. What were the four responses to Jesus' claim of being the bread of life as discussed in the sermon? ([01:05:21])
4. How did Peter respond to Jesus' question about whether the disciples would leave Him? ([01:17:09])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus used the metaphor of bread to describe Himself? How does this metaphor resonate with the concept of spiritual sustenance? ([55:00])
2. What does the crowd's demand for proof and works reveal about human nature and our approach to receiving God's grace? ([01:06:39])
3. How can doubt and difficulty in understanding spiritual truths be an opportunity for deeper faith rather than a barrier? ([01:13:34])
4. What does Peter's declaration about Jesus being the Holy One of God teach us about faith and commitment, even when we don't fully understand? ([01:17:09])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual diet. Are there areas in your life where you prioritize temporary, material concerns over your soul's nourishment? How can you shift your focus to seek the "food that endures for eternal life"? ([59:55])
2. Have you ever struggled with the concept of receiving God's grace freely? What steps can you take to overcome the pride of self-sufficiency and fully embrace the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ? ([01:07:15])
3. Think of a time when you faced doubt or difficulty in understanding a spiritual truth. How did you handle it? What can you do to engage with challenging teachings and seek deeper understanding? ([01:13:34])
4. Peter recognized Jesus as the source of eternal life despite not understanding everything. How can you cultivate a similar attitude of devotion and trust in your own faith journey? ([01:17:09])
5. Debbie Jones shared her personal journey of faith and the decision to go deeper with Jesus. Reflect on your own faith journey. Have you gone far enough, or is Jesus calling you to go deeper? What specific steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him? ([01:21:13])
6. How can you make a conscious decision and commitment to respond to Jesus' invitation to believe and receive Him as the source of eternal life? What practical actions can you take this week to strengthen your personal relationship with Jesus? ([01:18:54])
7. Spiritual growth is an ongoing process. Identify one area in your life where you can actively pursue greater intimacy with God. What specific action will you take this week to grow in that area? ([01:26:13])
Devotional
Day 1: Nourishment Beyond the Physical
Just as bread sustains our bodies, Christ is the spiritual sustenance that feeds our souls. Recognizing Jesus as the bread of life invites us to consider our spiritual health and the sustenance we seek to fulfill our deepest needs. This analogy challenges us to prioritize our spiritual well-being, ensuring that we are nourished by the truth of His word and presence in our lives. [55:00]
Deuteronomy 8:3 - "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."
Reflection: How are you feeding your spiritual life? Are there ways you can more intentionally seek sustenance from Jesus, the bread of life?
Day 2: Grace Received, Not Achieved
The gift of grace is not something to be earned but freely received. This challenges the human tendency to rely on self-sufficiency and merit. Embracing the grace of God requires humility and a willingness to accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus offers, acknowledging that it cannot be achieved through our own efforts. [01:07:15]
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you trying to earn God's favor? How can you practice receiving His grace with a humble heart today?
Day 3: Engaging with Spiritual Challenges
Doubt and difficulty in understanding are part of the journey of faith. Rather than avoiding these challenges, believers are encouraged to engage with them, seeking deeper understanding and trusting in God's character. This process strengthens faith and leads to a more profound comprehension of spiritual truths. [01:13:34]
Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: What spiritual truth do you find challenging or hard to understand? How can you actively seek greater clarity and trust in God's wisdom regarding this issue?
Day 4: Personal Commitment to Christ
A relationship with Jesus is a personal decision that requires active commitment. It is not enough to be associated with faith through culture or family; each person must make a conscious choice to believe and receive Jesus as the source of eternal life. This decision marks the beginning of a transformative spiritual journey. [01:18:54]
Joshua 24:15 - "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Reflection: Have you made a personal commitment to follow Jesus? What does this commitment look like in your daily life?
Day 5: Pursuing Deeper Intimacy with God
Spiritual growth is an ongoing pursuit of deeper intimacy with Jesus. It is a continuous journey of seeking to know God more fully and to find one's place in His presence. This pursuit is not about complacency but an active engagement in growing closer to the Great I Am. [01:26:13]
Psalm 42:1-2 - "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with Jesus? How can you make this pursuit a daily priority?
Quotes
"Jesus is saying come I am the bread of life only I can feed your soul only I can offer you that depth where you will never go hungry where you will never be thirsty again." [01:23:28] (Download)
"Jesus chose us and he says to us this morning have you gone far enough or will you go deeper I am the bread of life." [01:24:56] (Download)
"Every step you take there is more and there is more and there is more to the I amness of Jesus." [01:26:13] (Download)
"The Christian Life is Hard, there are difficulties, there are things that we wrestle with... it is hard, there is tough stuff that we have to deal with and continually on my walk with God I hear him saying to me have you gone far enough or will you go deeper." [01:17:43] (Download)
"There Comes A Time In everyone's life where you have to make that personal choice and you have to say yeah I believe you are the Holy One Of God." [01:18:54] (Download)
"Free Grace is one of the deepest barriers to receiving God's gift. We struggle that it's free and they were struggling that this was free. They were like what do we have to do, show us what we have to do, what are the works that we have to do." [01:07:15] (Download)
"God's gift is a free gift to us this morning. God's gift is Jesus, a gift that will feed our soul, a gift where we will never go hungry and never go thirsty." [01:08:31] (Download)
"When I am with Jesus, when I am wherever I am and I know he is right beside me, I feel like I am home. It is the only place I can honestly say that I 100% feel that I fit." [01:21:13] (Download)
"The son of man came to feed the soul. It's his love, his power, his grace, his mercy; he meets it all for us at the cross and he says this morning, 'I am the bread of life.'" [01:21:58] (Download)
"Bread is universal, it's for everybody. This reflects the inclusive heart of Jesus's message, that he came for every person, regardless of their culture or background." [55:52] (Download)
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