John 6:41-58
As Jesus was talking He discerned that some of the Jews who were listening were grumbling about His teaching. Specifically they were concerned about his statement that He was “bread that came down out of heaven”. He uses that phrase four times in the verses mentioned above. He uses another phrase twice that helps us understand the passage; “I will raise him up on the last day.”
Verse 51 is key to understanding what He means. Notice He speaks of “eating this bread”. That means to believe in Him as our Savior. He also describes the bread as His flesh which He will give for the life of the world. He is speaking there of His death on the cross. Christ knew in every detail how and when His death would take place.
We also think of bread as sustenance. We must eat in order to survive physically. We also need to eat spiritually so that we may grow spiritually. It is a good habit to study God’s Word daily. Real study is more than just reading; it is learning. Effectively studying God’s Word requires a three step process. First, we must observe what the text says. Next we must interpret what it means and finally we must apply it to our lives. Using that formula has been very effective for me and I encourage you to try it.
The other phrase Jesus repeats is “I will raise him up on the last day.” Notice the “him” is not capitalized (v. 44, 54). That helps us understand He is talking about those who “eat this bread” or who come to trust Him as their Savior. If we have done that we can be assured of spending eternity in heaven with Him. I Thessalonians 4:16-17 states it very clearly “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
I am gratefully for the confidence God has give me that I can look forward to eternity with Him.
Verse 51 is key to understanding what He means. Notice He speaks of “eating this bread”. That means to believe in Him as our Savior. He also describes the bread as His flesh which He will give for the life of the world. He is speaking there of His death on the cross. Christ knew in every detail how and when His death would take place.
We also think of bread as sustenance. We must eat in order to survive physically. We also need to eat spiritually so that we may grow spiritually. It is a good habit to study God’s Word daily. Real study is more than just reading; it is learning. Effectively studying God’s Word requires a three step process. First, we must observe what the text says. Next we must interpret what it means and finally we must apply it to our lives. Using that formula has been very effective for me and I encourage you to try it.
The other phrase Jesus repeats is “I will raise him up on the last day.” Notice the “him” is not capitalized (v. 44, 54). That helps us understand He is talking about those who “eat this bread” or who come to trust Him as their Savior. If we have done that we can be assured of spending eternity in heaven with Him. I Thessalonians 4:16-17 states it very clearly “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
I am gratefully for the confidence God has give me that I can look forward to eternity with Him.
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