The Bread of Life
“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.’”
Think of a time when you were excited about something new. Maybe it was a new piece of clothing, or the latest new shoes. Perhaps it was a new electronic device, a video game, or a big screen TV. Maybe it was your dream car that you never thought you would be able to afford yet and through hard work you were able to finally purchase it. There was immediate joy surrounding that item. You were excited to wear it, drive it, or tell your friends all about it. But not long after, it began to lose its luster, the new shirt got a stain, the video game grew less exciting, or like me, you walked out one morning and found that your new car had been keyed. Like the food in this passage of John, most things around us will perish, and so a pause to consider what requires our attention is appropriate.
This is not to say we should avoid the enjoyment of food, or a new piece of clothing, or to take pride in a vehicle you need. We ought to enjoy these things no differently than the rest of creation. After all, our earthly bodies are as reliant on food as our souls are reliant on our Creator, and life cannot exist without either of them. However, our fallen nature craves one while neglecting the other, our Creator.
We live in a blessed society in which most people do not need to worry about where their daily provision of bread will come from. Agricultural and food storage advances have made it possible for most people to have more than what they need. So, there is a need to think about our daily bread in light of the things that cause us angst, which I just mentioned. Through a 21st century lens, we are reminded that we are sometimes just as guilty of following Jesus around simply for what He might provide us with. When Jesus says that the only reason the crowd is following Him is so that they can get food, and not because they saw Him provide signs, He is saying that their motives are wrong. He says that we are not to work for food that perishes but for the food that endures!
So, what kind of food endures? In short answer, the work Christ calls us to do! Jesus not only provides the bread that leads to eternal life, but HE IS THE BREAD OF LIFE! Meaning, His teachings, His word, and His Church are permanent. The instruction handed to us from Christ should be the focus of our efforts here on earth.
Pivoting briefly, this passage should also correct any poor theology surrounding the preaching of a “prosperity gospel,” which is the belief that if we simply request anything of God that it will be given to us. Sometimes this is accompanied by statements such as, “Name it and Claim it!” This is typically a gross misinterpretation of John 14:13-14, which says:
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
This passage should be interpreted using the passage from chapter 6 which says, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.” Much of the “prosperity gospel” centers around the idea that getting all the material things you want is part of being a Christian. But Jesus tells us here not to work for food - or any material item for that matter - which perishes, but to work for the food - Christ’s Word and Church - which Jesus has given you during your time on earth. Requests made in Christ’s name to the Father are meant to carry on the work of the Church until Christ’s return and will be fulfilled to that end!
This need to be a part of something eternal is innate within the psychological makeup with which God created us. People all throughout history have been concerned about their contributions to all of eternity all the way up to our modern age. Many of the richest people in the world are working to establish their legacy through advances in healthcare, literacy, feeding the hungry, and providing higher education - all of which are great things and are just as necessary as our daily bread. However, apart from the Gospel, they too will perish.
Prayer
Father, please keep our eyes on what is eternal - not on what will perish. We thank You for the work You are doing in Somerset and that we are privileged to be a part of what You’re doing during this slice of history. We ask that You continue sending Your Spirit to remind us of what is temporal and what is eternal. May we continue seeing the world through the lens of eternity. Guide our conversations with friends, family, and acquaintances to that end. - Amen
