Session 10: The Feeding

Session Overview

Creedal Statement

Coming soon.

Key Elements

• Key Passage - John 6:1–71
• Scripture Memory - He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3
• Catechism - Q: What response does the Lord’s Supper require of disciples? A: Faith

Introduction

They asked, and He brought quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened a rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.

We cannot have communion with Christ till we are in union with Him; and we cannot have communion with the Church till we are in vital union with it. The teaching of the Lord’s supper is just this—that while we have many ways of communion with Christ, yet the receiving of Christ into our souls as our Savior is the best way of communion with Him.

“[The Lord’s Supper] was intended to remind us, by the visible, tangible emblems of bread and wine, that the offering of Christ’s body and blood for us on the cross, is the only atonement for sin, and the life of a believer’s soul. It was meant to help our poor weak faith to closer fellowship with our crucified Savior, and to assist us in spiritually feeding on Christ’s body and blood. It is an ordinance for redeemed sinners, and not for unfallen angels. By receiving it we publicly declare our sense of guilt, and need of a Savior—our trust in Jesus, and our love to Him—our desire to live upon Him, and our hope to live with Him. Using it in this spirit, we shall find our repentance deepened, our faith increased, our hope brightened, and our love enlarged—our besetting sins weakened, and our graces strengthened. It will draw us nearer to Christ.”

People hunger for satisfaction and fulfillment. Intrinsically, physical hunger mirrors spiritual longing. As physical beings, humans experience biological desires, cravings, and appetites. Because we have been created by God, we need food to survive. Physical hunger motivates and mobilizes a person to action. Our hunger is a chronic reminder of our neediness, finitude, and weakness. Hunger at this bodily level reflects human longing for fullness of life. Just like people instinctively fill their stomachs with food, humanity aches for a life full of meaning and significance.

In this longing for purpose, people ambitiously pursue various means to satisfy it. Yet, outside of Christ, there is no real or lasting satisfaction. However healthy our bodies, however prosperous our lifestyle, however true our relationships, no person can find real meaning without Jesus on the throne of the heart. Each failed attempt at satisfaction outside of Christ only exacerbates our hunger and frustrates our inner longing. Like an itch from a skin disease, the scratching only makes the sensation worse. Deep inside, we know that vain pursuits will never satisfy our longing for a joyful and fulfilling life. Our yearnings and longings need something of more substance—true food and true drink—that will bring satisfaction once and for all. As fallen humans with a grave, sinful condition, our hunger pangs painfully remind us that our hunger can only be satiated when our broken relationship with God is remedied. Our faithful devotion and believing commitment to Christ is a means to repair our fallen condition, reconcile our relationship with God, receive eternal life, and find enduring satisfaction for our deepest longings. This offer is recounted every time believers come to the table of communion. It is at this table where we remember the basic message of the gospel, rehearse our invitation to discipleship, and proclaim Jesus as the remedy to our hunger and thirst.

The biblical narrative of John 6:1–71 acquaints us with the life of discipleship. The intricately fashioned narrative is an interwoven plot that invites readers (ancient and modern) to grapple with Jesus’ identity and vocation. By miraculously feeding a large crowd with meager portions of fish and bread, Jesus revealed himself to humanity. When he appeared to the disciples on the stormy seas of Galilee, he showed his presence as a repellent to fear. As he engaged the eager and pursuing crowds, he told them that he was the bread of life and called them to believe in him. To the grumbling Jews, Jesus explained that he was the true bread and true drink, confronting their stubborn and unbelieving hearts. Foreshadowing his atoning work on the cross and the church’s practice of communion, Jesus told his skeptics that life was offered only to those who had received him in faith. When the people heard Jesus’ hard sayings, many of Jesus’ followers left him, but the twelve remained faithful to him as the source of eternal life.

Devotion to Christ is energized by a deeply satisfied soul. In Jesus, God provides the true food for which we desperately hunger and the true drink of which we deeply thirst. Jesus can only be received into our lives by self-surrendering faith. This faith is only granted to those whom the Father allows. The call to discipleship is hard. But while the sacrifice involved in following Jesus is costly, it reaps an eternal reward. Rather than separating body and heart, Jesus’ call to follow him in faith unites physical and spiritual realities. Jesus tended to the biological needs of a crowd. He physically appeared to his disciples on a stormy sea. Christ upheld physical sustenance—bread and drink—as a representation of his person and work. And he explained that eternal life involves bodily resurrection. Nonetheless, Jesus also invited people to see what his miraculous signs teach about belief, life, allegiance, and trust in God. As we interact with this story, may our own hearts and minds be sensitive to receive Jesus’ teachings, however hard the sayings may be.

Biblical Interpretation: Hearing the Word

Study the Text: The Bible is God’s inspired word to his people. Christian disciples mature in the faith when they are grounded in God’s word. In this movement, you will study the basic details of the biblical text.

Observation Questions

Read (or listen to) the whole passage of Scripture. Discuss the questions below for each section of the story. Pay attention to the details of the text to recall what the passage is saying. Use the focus verses to guide your conversation.

Storycraft

Retell the story in your own words, recounting the overall flow of the narrative, the main segments of the story, and the major developments that take place.

Narrative Elements

Story Retell

Theological Dialogue: Discussing the Plot

Explore the Text: God’s word is his trustworthy and sufficient revelation to his people. We grow as Christ’s disciples by rooting our lives in God’s unchanging truth. In this movement, you will explore vital teachings of this biblical passage.

Discussion Questions

Summarize the biblical story. As a community, discuss the following questions. Be attentive to the truths taught in this text. Use the commentary on the next pages to uncover core principles this passage teaches about the Christian faith.

Biblical Commentary

Use this commentary to help you understand the meaning of the text. Refer to the infographic on the next page to think through how narratives work.

Passage Introduction

Key Idea

Christian communion is possible by union with Christ through accepting the hard truth in faith that Jesus is the true food and true drink.

Passage Overview

This narrative recounts the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, Jesus walking on water, and an extended discussion about Jesus being the life-giving bread for humanity. The string of events narrated teaches us about the nature of discipleship and true worship. They also help us understand the nature of the Lord’s Supper. Christian devotion is founded upon the person and work of Christ. He is the provider of all our needs. His presence calms all fear. He is the bread from heaven sent to earth to give life to the world. Belief in Christ grants us new life that lasts forever. Only by feasting on Christ in faith can we gain this new life. Following Christ involves accepting the challenging call of discipleship. God’s gracious initiative—the drawing work of the Father, the life-giving work of the Spirit, and the saving work of Christ—is the only way one can come to gain eternal life. People who come to Christ to meet their immediate needs but fail to fully surrender to him have fallen prey to superficial spirituality. Like Christ’s disciples who reaffirmed their faith in Christ, we are all called to confess Christ as the Holy One of God who alone holds the words of eternal life. As you explore the nature of discipleship and devotion to Christ, use the following commentary to help enhance your understanding of the biblical text and its Christ-centered teaching.

Passage Outline

1. John 6:1–15
2. John 6:16–21
3. John 6:22–40
4. John 6:41–58
5. John 6:59–71

Building a Community of Common Faith

They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?”

God can turn stones into bread, and a sinner can turn bread into stones—[that is, a sinner can turn] the bread of life into the stone of stumbling.

Introduction

Humans are looking for a full and flourishing life. Deep within, we all desire to find satisfaction in our longings, fulfillment of our desires, relief from our needs, and contentment that endures throughout all of life. The power of these inner desires can be compared to the pangs of physical hunger. Human yearnings can be physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, or relational. Living in a sin-ravaged world, we are readily aware that both our desires and our attempts to satiate these desires can be flawed. When we try to fulfill good desires in the wrong way or grope to gratify misplaced desires, our desperation only increases. What we need to fulfill our longing is beyond what any mere human can provide. We need God to show us the path to full and flourishing life. This God has graciously done. The call to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord is an invitation to be truly fulfilled, both in this life and in the life to come.

In John 6:1–71, we witness Jesus feed a crowd with meager portions of fish and bread, walk on water upon the stormy seas of Galilee, call people to believe in him as the bread of life, explain himself as true food and true drink which can grant eternal life, and clarify the cost of discipleship for all who would want to be his disciples. This biblical narrative is a milestone in the Gospel accounts. It outlines a path of discipleship and devotion that calls people to full surrender and faith. This narrative is also foundational to our walk of faith. In this story, Jesus gives us insight into what would become the Christian practice of the Lord’s Supper. On both accounts—his invitation to discipleship and his claim as being the bread of life—some in the crowd find Jesus’ call to the crowd too hard to embrace.

That this story takes place around the Passover feast, not only recalls the Old Testament background of this story (cf. Exodus 12:1–13:16) but also anticipates Jesus’ eventual work on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for sin (cf. John 13:1; 18:28, 39; 19:14). To a contemporary audience (as it did to the ancient audience), this narrative challenges the thought that superficial or casual acquaintance with Jesus will reap spiritual benefits or life-giving reward. On the contrary, Jesus calls true disciples to abandon their self-interested attempts to make Jesus a king in their own image and embrace his radical invitation to discipleship. However hard the teaching of Jesus may be, he alone—as the true food and the true drink—is the path to satisfying and unending life. Embracing Jesus in genuine faith, we come to understand the significance of the Christian practice of communion and what it teaches us about devotion in the life of discipleship. May we heed this story with great earnestness to find the one who has the words of eternal life.

Meal of Thanks: Eating to Their Fill, Confessing Jesus’ Provision, and Grappling with the Real Identity of Jesus

Biblical Narrative (John 6:1–15)

Around the time of Passover feast (6:4), and during a busy season of intense ministry (6:2), Jesus withdrew and traveled across the Sea of Galilee (6:1) to a wilderness area (cf. Matthew 14:14, 15; Mark 6:32, 35; Luke 9:12). Because of all the signs Jesus had performed in healing the sick, a large crowd followed him (6:2). Arriving at this area, Jesus went up the mountain and sat there with his disciples (6:3). When Jesus saw a large crowd approaching him, he asked one of his disciples, Philip, a probing question: “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” (6:5). Because Jesus “knew what He was about to do,” he asked this “to test him” (6:6). Considering the size of the crowd and the cost involved in fulfilling Jesus’ request, Philip responded to Jesus’ question with great skepticism. He said that “two hundred denariia would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece” (6:7). Jesus’ question expressed compassion; Philip’s response exuded unbelief. Jesus’ request confounded Philip’s logic: how could a small band of disciples tend to the needs of a hungry crowd?

At that time, another disciple, Andrew, brought a young boy to Jesus. The boy had “five barley loaves and two small fish” (6:9). Rather than celebrating these meager portions, Andrew paused in hopeless resignation: “What difference will these make among so many?” (6:9). Both Philip’s skepticism and Andrew’s despair betrayed a sense of doubt. Jesus would confront this unbelief with a powerful display of his supremacy and provision. The area around was grassy. Therefore, Jesus instructed his disciple to have the crowd sit down (6:10). Around five thousand men made up the crowd, not including women and children (6:10). Jesus took the loaves of bread, gave thanks, and passed them out to those who were sitting (6:11). Jesus passed out the fish to the crowd (6:11). Although the boy’s provisions were small and simple, the people in the crowd ate “as much as they wanted” (6:11). In fact, when “everyone was ful,” Jesus instructed his disciples to “gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted” (6:12). There was more food after the miracle than beforehand: “They collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten” (6:13). The people witnessed this miraculous provision by Jesus—a sign which bore witness to Jesus—and they confessed, “Truly this is the Prophet who is to come into the world” (6:14). Knowing that the people were ready to forcefully “make Him king,” Jesus “withdrew again to a mountain by Himself” (6:15). This mountaintop miracle of provision (6:1) was followed by Jesus’ mountaintop retreat (6:15).

Biblical Principles

Jesus’ All-Sufficiency. In the opening of this story, Jesus miraculously provided food for a large and hungry crowd. A powerful sign that revealed Jesus’ identity, this incredible deed confronted the skepticism of Jesus’ disciples, met the physical needs of the crowd, and highlighted the person and work of Jesus. While Jesus cared compassionately for the felt needs of the crowd (6:5), he was also testing his disciples (6:6), challenging their unbelief (6:7, 9). Jesus’ provision came unexpectedly (6:7–9), sufficiently (6:11), and with great abundance (6:12–13). The disciples were crippled by uncertainty and disbelief, but Jesus had the whole situation under the steady control of his sovereign hand. Jesus already knew ahead of time what he was going to do (6:6). Jesus’ compassion was equaled by his power: he lacked no desire or ability to care for those in need. In grace and mercy, he initiated the prospect of feeding the crowd (6:5). He also involved people in his miraculous work. He discussed the situation with Philip (6:5–7). He used a boy’s meager supply of bread and fish (6:8–9). He delegated responsibility to his disciples in organizing the crowd (6:10) and collecting the leftovers (6:12–13). Jesus’ feeding this crowd of five thousand men (probably thousands more when adding in women and children) should give us confidence that our daily needs are no match for Jesus’ gracious and abundant care. He lacks no resources and is bested by no difficulty. God has a kind eye to our needs, and Jesus is the God-appointed, all-sufficient remedy to meet our needs.

Jesus’ Saving Work. The miraculous provision of food to satisfy our physical hunger ultimately teaches that Jesus himself is our greatest provision, sent to alleviate us from the pangs of sin and death. Importantly, the narrative tells us that Jesus performed this miracle at a time when “the Jewish Feast of the Passover was near” (6:4). The Passover celebration was a lasting testimony that God graciously redeemed his people. Like a bridge, Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand united God’s redemptive work throughout the ages, looking back to God’s liberation of his people from Egypt and looking ahead to Jesus’ saving work on the cross. Jesus’ provision went beyond food for hungry stomachs. Ultimately, Jesus would go to the cross to save sinners and alleviate the gnawing hunger caused by sin. In this miracle, Jesus broke bread and gave it to the crowds; in his atoning work on the cross, Jesus would become the soul-satisfying, broken bread to heal humans from sin and death. Therefore, Jesus foreshadowed his redemptive work when he instructed the disciples to gather the leftover portions. After this miracle, Jesus was concerned that “nothing will be wasted” (6:12), hinting at his work to save sinners and lose none that the Father had given him (cf. 6:39).

When Jesus “took the loaves,” “gave thanks,” and “distributed to those who were seated” (6:11), Jesus was foreshadowing events that would take place in his final meal with his disciples (cf. Matthew 26:26–27). This last supper would serve as a model for the Christian practice of communion. Eventually, the Lord’s Supper would be called the eucharist, derived from the Greek term “to give thanks (eucharisteō)”. It is a meal of thanks in which we celebrate God’s gracious provision in Christ—a provision in this life and for the life to come. Gratitude for the fishes and loaves alludes to gratitude for Jesus as the Bread of Life. Jesus’ care for the felt needs of the crowds was a sign of his eventual work to remedy the spiritual condition of sinful humanity.

Faith in King Jesus. Jesus’ miraculous sign was an invitation to respond to Jesus in faith. In particular, Jesus used this miracle as a test (6:6). The story began with unbelief from Philip (6:7) and Andrew (6:9). The story concluded with a crowd’s faith-filled confession of Jesus: “Truly this is the Prophet who is to come into the world” (6:14). To call Jesus a prophet was the people’s way of asserting Jesus’ divine power and trustworthiness. This confession was followed by an attempt to “make Him king by force” (6:14). The miracle certainly made an impression on the crowd, but left to their own desires, they would have attempted to crown Jesus as a king after their own making. The feeding of the crowd of five thousand summons us to trust in Jesus as all-sufficient Provider and all-powerful Savior. It challenges unbelief, highlights Jesus’ person and work, and warns us against superficial expressions of faith.

To come to know Jesus as true King is to express genuine faith and unreserved commitment in Christ. To be devoted to Christ is to first be a recipient of his kind provision. The story of Jesus feeding the crowd and the practice of communion, which it foreshadows, both nourish our commitment to Christ. As our deep longings are satisfied in Christ, we are fueled to pursue Jesus with greater rigor. Knowing Jesus can provide a feast in the wilderness means that we can trust Jesus wherever he leads. Like the disciples in this story, our vision can be too focused on the predicament in front of us rather than the Provider who is by our side. The generosity of the nameless boy in this story is exemplary. If God can take the meager provisions of a boy and feed a crowd, he can multiply our simple acts of devotion for his kingdom purposes. Our maturity in this life of devotion will be proportionate to our ability to recognize (and depend upon) the presence of Jesus, our all-sufficient Provider and all-powerful Savior.

It Is I: Encountering the Real Presence of Jesus

Biblical Narrative (John 6:16–21)

The story moves from the mountainside to the middle of the sea. Jesus had taken a retreat from the crowd (and his disciples) and went to the mountain to commune with his Father in prayer. In the evening, Jesus’ disciples went across the Sea of Galilee on a boat heading toward Capernaum (6:16–17). Things became challenging on the water: “A strong wind was blowing, and the sea grew agitated” (6:18). The situation was particularly bleak because “it was already dark, and Jesus had not yet gone out to them” (6:17). Jesus did not leave his disciples stranded in the tempestuous sea. The disciples had traveled about three or four miles into their journey when they “saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea” (6:19). The disciples “were terrified” (6:19) at this sight, but Jesus quickly reassured his cowering followers. Into their fright, Jesus spoke simple and profound words of truth and comfort: “It is I; do not be afraid” (6:20). After these words, the disciples brought Jesus into the boat. With Jesus aboard, “the boat reached the shore where they were heading” (6:21). This all happened “at once” (6:21).

Biblical Principles

Emotional Unease. The previous scene highlighted human hunger. This scene focuses on human fear. The disciples were on the Sea of Galilee in the dark (6:16–17) and were confronted by difficult water conditions: “a strong wind was blowing” (6:18). The agitation of the sea would have caused angst and concern within the disciples. They were also alone, without their Master and Teacher: “Jesus had not yet gone out to them” (6:17). Their emotions were heightened, because when Jesus appeared to them walking on the water, “they were terrified” (6:19). Humans experience physical hunger and emotional unease, but, as this story proves, Jesus is a sure and certain remedy to both.

Jesus’ Real Presence. On the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee, the disciples encountered Jesus. His real presence brought them comfort in the midst of a threatening situation. Jesus left the mountain (6:15) and “went down” (6:16) with his disciples, entering into the harrowing seas (6:18-19). He came to them when it was dark (6:16–17), miraculously walking on water (6:19). He did not leave them alone (6:17). He spoke words of self-revelation and comfort in the midst of their predicament: “It is I; do not be afraid” (6:20). Jesus’ reassuring words were followed by his actual presence with them in the boat (6:21). Jesus’ presence gave them the ability to immediately arrive at their destination with miraculous speed: “at once the boat reached the shore where they were heading” (6:21). The simple lesson in this tumultuous sea voyage was that Jesus’ presence makes all the difference. In the previous narrative, Jesus had shown earlier that, no matter the lack of resources, Jesus’ presence was the difference between a large crowd being fed and going hungry. Now on the seas of Galilee, the disciples were forced to reckon with where they found comfort and peace. Jesus’ appearance on the Sea of Galilee was first met with fright, but only after Jesus revealed his identity and addressed their fears were the disciples willing to let Jesus into the boat. His reassuring presence was their remedy from the fearful circumstances around them.

The practice of the Lord’s Supper involves a celebration of Jesus’ presence. Historically, Christians have debated to what extent Jesus is present in the practice of communion. While the elements of communion—bread and cup—do not transform into Jesus’ actual flesh and blood, there is a real sense in which Christ is with his people in the celebration of communion. As the narrative unfolds, Jesus will expand upon this truth as he converses with the crowd. Jesus’ continued presence with his people is the defining mark of the community of faith. With his presence, we have no reason to fear, and we have confidence that we will reach our destination in the journey of life. His presence makes all the difference.

That communion communicates the presence of Jesus with his people is important as we understand the life of devotion. Regardless of one’s circumstances or surroundings, the difference between the fright of a storm and the calm of peace involves the presence of Jesus. Despite the obstacles that arise, the difference between being tossed and adrift upon stormy seas and arriving at our destination is our willingness to travel with Jesus. Whatever dark nights or rough seas we face in life, our ability to recognize Jesus’s presence is crucial for our well-being. In fact, our maturity in the faith—a maturity which begets deeper devotion to Christ—has grown as we walk daily in the presence of Christ. Although everyone who encounters Jesus cannot help but be impacted, not all seek him for the right reasons.

Who Are You Seeking: Seeing the Real Work of Jesus

Biblical Narrative (John 6:22–40)

The day after Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the crowd and his calming presence on the Sea of Galilee, the scene shifts to the town of Capernaum (6:16, 24). The crowd which Jesus had fed the day before saw that the disciples had gone into the boat to cross the sea without Jesus (6:22). At the time, there was only one boat (6:22). Now, other boats had come from Tiberias to the place where Jesus had fed the crowd (6:23). When they could not find Jesus or his disciples, the crowd boarded the boats and headed toward Capernaum (6:24). The goal of their journey was clear: they “went to Capernaum to look for Him” (6:24; cf. 6:26).

When the crowd arrived, “they found Him on the other side of the sea” (6:25). Challenging their motives, Jesus told them, “It is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill” (6:26). Jesus’ miraculous work of feeding the crowd was a sign to reveal Jesus’ identity and work, but the crowds were seeking Jesus for how he could physically fill them. Jesus confronted the intent behind their superficial desires and told them, “Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life” (6:27). This life-giving food is such that “the Son of Man will give you” (6:27). The Son of Man could give eternal because “on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval” (6:27). Not fully understanding Jesus’ words, the crowd asked what they needed to do to do “the works of God” (6:28). Jesus told them, “the work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent” (6:29). The people asked for a sign from Jesus so that they might believe (6:30). They alluded to the sign God gave Israel when he provided manna for them in the wilderness (6:31). Again, the crowd of people betrayed their ignorance. Jesus explained that God, not Moses, had provided the manna in the wilderness. They should be looking to God “who gives … the true bread from heaven” (6:32). This true bread was a person: “The bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (6:33).

The people still did not understand Jesus’ words. In response, the people asked that Jesus “give…this bread at all times” (6:34). In a revealing statement pregnant with meaning, Jesus made his teaching explicit: “I am the bread of life” (6:35). He explained that he was able to satiate all hunger and quench all thirst: “Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst” (6:35). Even though the crowd was before Jesus, they could not see him for who he really was—they had seen, but Jesus said they “still … do not believe” (6:36). In a series of related statements, Jesus explained that all who come to him in genuine faith will be fully accepted. God’s work in the lives of his people will be effective: “Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away” (6:37). Jesus came to earth to do his Father’s will (6:38) and he would “lose none of those He has given” (6:39). Those who come to faith in Christ are secure. Jesus’ effective and secure work was also enduring. Jesus said that “everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (6:40). As the Bread of Life, Jesus could give people life without end, overcoming death itself.

Biblical Principles

Superficial Interest and Misplaced Desires. The crowd’s response to Jesus demonstrates what spiritual ignorance and immature interest in Jesus look like. Although the crowd was looking for Jesus (6:24), they were really seeking something else. The crowd wanted the material blessings associated with Jesus’ power (6:26), but remained ignorant of Jesus’ identity (6:32–34). While Jesus compassionately provided for their felt needs, he confronted this superficial interest in him. Jesus was offering the people himself, but they only wanted him to placate their appetites (6:34). He had performed for them a miraculous sign (6:26), but they wanted him to perform another sign so that they could believe (6:30). Rather than yielding to Jesus in full submission, they tried to corner Jesus into bending to their concerns. In essence, they had allowed their physical hunger (and fleshly ambition) to overtake their spiritual sensitivities. Their self-focused intentions blinded them to the fact that the one speaking with them could quench the deepest longings of their souls. The crowd’s superficial interest and misplaced desires are a warning to all. The temporary sustenance of the fish and the loaves was to point people to the eternal life offered in Jesus. Too many people labor for food that perishes (6:27) and overlook the invitation to an ever-satisfying food that satiates hunger and quenches thirst (6:35). People commonly fixate on maximizing the pleasure of this present life (6:31–32) only to neglect their eternal destiny (6:27). The negative example of the crowd urges us to truly seek Jesus, longing for him as the Bread of Life.

Jesus’ Identity and Vocation. The Lord’s Supper is a gift to the church because it vividly reminds us that Jesus supremely satisfies and sufficiently saves. This biblical narrative emphasizes these points. In this passage, Jesus identified himself as “the bread of life” (6:35) who satisfies hunger and quenches thirst. Jesus called himself “the true bread from heaven” (6:32), who was sent to earth to accomplish his Father’s will (6:38). This sacred meal rehearses the truth that Jesus is “the bread of God” (6:33), sent to earth to give life to humanity. Jesus is the “One [God the Father] has sent” (6:29), none other than the eternal “Son of Man” (6:27) and Son of God (6:40). Communion celebrates the person of Christ along with his satisfying and saving work. To remember Jesus’ work is to cling to divine promises: Jesus accepts all who come in faith (6:37), he will not lose one of his own (6:39), he gives eternal life to his people (6:40), and he raises up the faithful on the last day (6:40). Access to this sacred meal of communion (and access to the grand promises in Christ) is possible by belief in Christ. In fact, faith is the work of God: “to believe in the One He has sent” (6:29).

In this way, the practice of communion is a most sacred meal for the community of faith to enjoy Jesus’ presence, celebrate his work, cling to his promises, and reaffirm our belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Such a meal surely sustains and strengthens devotion to Christ. Even for Christians, we are too easily tempted to find satisfaction and sustenance from bread that perishes. Our sinful proclivities often cause us to act like the crowd in this narrative. In the Lord’s Supper, we gather on a regular basis with the community of faith to confess our common belief in Christ: his miraculous incarnation, sacrificial death, victorious resurrection, heavenly ascension, and eventual return. Christian devotion is nourished by belief in this true narrative of good news. Gratitude for God sending his Son, confidence in a secure salvation, rich joy in receiving imperishable life, and hope in the future resurrection are truths that mobilize the Christian community to devotion. These teachings are true but difficult for many to accept.

Controversy and Dispute: Examining the True Bread of Life

Biblical Narrative (John 6:41–58)

What began as a pursuit for the miracle-working Jesus turned into a controversy and dispute. Having heard Jesus call himself the bread of life which came from heaven, “the Jews began to grumble about Jesus” (6:41). They knew Jesus’ earthly family, so they wondered how he could say that he came from heaven (6:42). Jesus confronted their murmuring with a direct rebuke: “Stop grumbling among yourselves” (6:43). Jesus explained that people only come to believe in him by God’s divine work: “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (6:44). Committed to his own, Jesus would raise them again on the final day (6:44). Jesus then cited Isaiah 54:13, explaining that all who really know God the Father will come to faith in Jesus (6:45). Jesus is the only way to gain access to God. In fact, he is the only one who has seen God the Father (6:46).

Jesus reiterated that he was the bread of life (6:48), emphasizing that only those who believe in him have eternal life (6:47). People too often rely upon food that temporarily sustains life on this earth rather than partaking of that which can secure eternal life. Neither the food provided for the five thousand nor the manna for the Israelites could secure eternal life: they all ended up dying (6:49). Only Jesus, “the living bread that came down from heaven” (6:51), could give a person everlasting life. Those who eat this bread—that is, those who come to Jesus in faith—can live forever (6:50–51). Eternal life is possible because Jesus does more than fill stomachs or satiate appetites; he saves sinners. Bread is a fitting description for Jesus because his body would be given as a sacrifice on the cross: “This bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh” (6:51).

The grumbling Jews argued among themselves how Jesus could give his flesh for people to eat (6:52). Explaining his life-giving potential, Jesus told them, “Unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you” (6:53; cf. 6:54, 57). In fact, Jesus emphasized that he gives everlasting life: “eternal life” that does not end because Jesus “will raise him up at the last day” (6:54; cf. 6:58). In addition to resurrection life, Jesus explained that feasting on Jesus grants a person a relationship of intimacy and communion with Christ: “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him” (6:56). The reason why this was possible was because Jesus’ “flesh is real food” and his “blood is real drink” (6:55). The “living Father” (6:57) sent Jesus to give life to sinners who embrace him in faith. Jesus was sent by “the living Father” (6:57) to give life that never ends; he was not like the manna which fed the Israelites for a time before they died (6:58).

Biblical Principles

Grumbling Unbelief. Jesus explained to the crowd his life-giving power as the bread of life. The crowd grumbled at Jesus’ claim (6:41–42). When Jesus explained that people needed to eat his flesh and drink his blood (6:47–51), they quarreled among themselves (6:52). The crowd wanted a sign like the Israelites received in the desert (6:30–31), but they actually mirrored the ancient Israelites’ grumbling and murmuring unbelief. The crowd’s superficial interest in Jesus fostered an entitled spirit that resisted faith in Christ. Complaint, discontentment, arguing, and accusation are signs of an unbelieving heart. The questions asked by the Jews—​​"is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know" (6:42), “how then can He say, ‘I have come down from heaven’” (6:42), “how can this man give us His flesh to eat” (6:52)—reveal a skeptical heart inhospitable to Jesus. This teaching was not that challenging to understand; it was difficult to receive.

Genuine Faith. Jesus invited the people to receive him in faith. All people will face their eventual death (6:50). Only those drawn by God (6:44–45) come to believe in Jesus and receive eternal life (6:47). Faith in Christ is depicted as eating his flesh and drinking his blood (6:53). Believing in Jesus (6:47) is a matter of feeding on Jesus (6:50–51, 53-54, 56). The vivid imagery of eating and drinking highlights this important aspect of faith: those who truly believe in Jesus wholeheartedly receive him and unreservedly accept him into their lives (6:60). Faith is like eating and drinking in that a person fully embraces Jesus. Faith in Christ brings life because Jesus has given his flesh (i.e., bread) and shed his blood (i.e., drink) for the life of the world (6:51). Foreshadowing Jesus’ death on the cross, Christ provided life by being the sacrificial death for human sin. Christ’s broken flesh and shed blood secured access to eternal life for all who would believe.

In the Lord’s Supper, Jesus offers the community of faith a meal by which they feast on Christ. The bread represents Christ’s broken body and the cup his shed blood. This meal reinforces faith in and allegiance to Christ. The practice of communion is not cannibalistic. We do not eat Jesus’ actual flesh, nor do we drink his actual blood. But as eating and drinking are a symbolic means to denote acceptance and reception, Christians eat bread and drink the cup together as a means to profess devotion to and dependence upon Christ. Baptism is a one-time rite of passage that professes faith in Jesus; communion is an ongoing and regular ritual to reaffirm our commitment to Christ. Christians mature as they are rooted in the truth of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. While Jesus’ miraculous provision, accessible presence, and satisfying person sustain us in Christian devotion, commitment to Christ is impossible without Jesus’ death on the cross. This not only provides the path to life but also emboldens Christian faith. In fact, as the bread and the cup represent Christ’s crucified flesh and shed blood, Christians profess faith in Christ at the communion table in a way that affirms their own willingness to suffer in the flesh and shed their own blood for faith in Christ. The suffering involved with being a Christ follower is great. But Christians are sustained in affliction and persecution by the rich fare of the Lord’s Table. Nourished in the faith, Christians accept the invitation to follow Jesus at all costs. But not all are so willing to accept this call.

A Hard Saying: Challenging Discipleship with Jesus’ Call

Biblical Narrative (John 6:59-71)

Jesus’ interchange with the people took place while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum (6:59). Many who had been following Jesus had heard what Jesus had taught and thought it was “a difficult teaching” (6:60). The great difficulty of his instruction made them question, “who can accept it” (6:60). Knowing that his disciples were “grumbling about this teaching” (6:61; cf. 6:43, 52), Jesus asked if they were offended at his teaching. In reality, these followers were taking offense at Jesus’ teaching. If their offense was great at this point in time, it would also be great when they saw all that Jesus came to do, his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension (6:62). Having exposed the heart of his listeners, Jesus explained that the words he taught were “spirit” and “life” (6:63). The only way one could come to embrace Jesus’ hard teachings was by the transforming power of the Spirit (6:63) and by the will of the Father (6:65).

The difficulty of Christ’s teaching caused many to abandon Jesus. Some of those who followed Jesus did “not believe” (6:64) in him. After his difficult teaching on faith and discipleship, “many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him” (6:66). This did not take Jesus by surprise. Jesus was aware “from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him” (6:64). All was not lost. Jesus asked his inner core of twelve disciples whether they wanted to leave him as well (6:67). Peter answered Jesus that he had “the words of eternal” (6:68). The twelve disciples had genuine faith. They had believed and come to know Jesus as “the Holy One of God” (6:69). They were his because Jesus had chosen them (6:70). Jesus knew those who were his own and those who would defect. Even among the twelve disciples, there was a hidden “devil” (6:70) who would eventually “betray Jesus” (6:71).

Biblical Principles

Hard Teachings and Divine Initiative. When the people heard Jesus’ hard teachings, many stopped following Jesus (6:66). Like the Israelites who wanted the temporary fulfillment of the manna, the crowd only wanted the temporary filling of fish and bread. The enduring food Jesus offered—a feast on Jesus’ body and blood—was a stumbling block for those who had a superficial interest in Christ. More than just a prophet (cf. 6:14), Jesus is the Holy One of God (6:69). He demands allegiance, submission, and trust. For those willing to receive Christ in faith, he grants eternal life. But coming to faith in Christ requires God’s gracious work on our behalf. Earlier Jesus said that faith in Christ as “the work of God” (6:29). At the end of the story, Jesus was reiterating the fact that it requires a “work of God” for a person to have faith in Christ: “the Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing” (6:63) and “no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him” (6:65; cf. 6:44–45). Salvation by faith in Christ was a work of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (6:62–65).

Faith-Filled Devotion. The difficulty of the teaching was not that it was too complex to understand, but that it was a challenge to accept. The mark of a disciple is their belief in the hard sayings of Jesus with faith-filled devotion to Christ. Disciples hear the hard sayings of Jesus and accept them (6:60). They are not offended by Jesus’ teachings, but humbly submit to his authority and redemptive work (6:61). In contrast with the fair-weathered disciples who loosely associate with Jesus for a time (6:64, 66–67, 70–71), true disciples remain faithful until the end. They have heard the words of Christ and are convinced that only he has the words of eternal life (6:68). Therefore, their faith in Christ is a clinging trust of dependence and reliance upon Christ as Savior and Lord.

Communion is an invitation for disciples to reaffirm their allegiance to Christ. Many may feast on Jesus’ temporary provisions, but only true disciples feed on Jesus as the bread of life and the all-quenching drink. Those invited to the miraculous provision of the wilderness meal may be many, but only the faithful are invited to the communion table. True disciples—those who do not take offense at Jesus’ teaching and come to believe in him—affirm that Jesus is the only way to find eternal life. The entryway to the Lord’s Table is faith in Christ (professed in baptism). There are boundaries to the communion table. These borders, defined by faith in Christ, solidify the community of faith by defining who is a covenant member of the church and who is outside of the faith. Christians need the regular practice of communion to remember these realities: the essence of Jesus’ saving work, the difficulty of the call to discipleship, the hope of eternal life, and the warning against a casual affinity to Christ.

Together, Christian disciples unite in their common confession—“You are the Holy One of God” (6:69)—and mature together in their continued endeavor to walk with Jesus (6:66). None of this is credited to human effort. It is Jesus’ choice of us (a choice directed by the Father and enabled by the Spirit) that makes all of this possible (6:70). When these hard sayings are understood and accepted, a faithful follower of Christ can not help but live a life of devotion and worship to God. As a whole, this narrative calls true disciples to abandon their self-interested attempts to make Jesus a king in their own image (6:15) and embrace his radical invitation to discipleship (6:60–71).

Conclusion

Devotion to Christ is founded upon Jesus’ person and work. Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand was a miraculous sign that revealed his identity as all-powerful Provider. Walking on the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus offered his peace-giving presence to his disciples. Jesus told the people who sought after him that he was the bread of life from heaven, and only by faith in him can people come to eternal life. Those who come to faith in Christ and receive eternal life are drawn by the Father. As true bread and true drink, only by feasting on Jesus in faith can one gain eternal life. The invitation to follow Christ is a difficult call to discipleship, which must be received in faith. Only by the work of the Father, Son, and Spirit can one come to faith in Christ. Rooted in the gospel, devotion to Christ is sustained, nourished, and strengthened by the practice of the Lord’s Supper. This community practice announces the truth about Jesus, retells Jesus’ saving work, and reminds us what it means to be devoted to Christ.

Like a hungry crowd in a desolate place, humans can only truly satisfy their hunger by accepting what only Jesus can provide. Like a tossed ship on stormy seas, humanity can only find true peace and calm through the presence of Christ. Like a searching crowd longing for more, people will only fully satiate their hunger by belief in Christ as the bread of life. Like an offended group of superficial followers, many will abandon their pursuit of Jesus upon hearing the difficult call of discipleship. Like the disciples who remain with Jesus, we are invited to cling to Christ as the true bread and true drink, the one who has the words of eternal life. This story presents a hard teaching, but for those who can accept the words of Jesus without offense (or maybe even despite the offense!), they can receive unending life. Far more than a future reality postponed until after death, Jesus’ promise of eternal life is also offered as a treasure Christian disciples can enjoy and experience now. Through faith in Christ, our union with Jesus has brought us into communion with God and with other believers. The regular and repeated practice of communion offers Christian disciples the chance to reaffirm their commitment as Christ’s disciples in the context of loving community. Further, it invites us to live in devotion to Christ, not out of begrudging obligation or superficial playacting but out of a deeply satisfied soul which has imbibed the true food and true drink that is Christ.

Session Synopsis

SESSION 10 SYNOPSIS
Feeding	In this passage, we learn about Jesus as the Bread of Life. Jesus miraculously fed a large crowd of thousands with a small amount of fish and bread. In another miracle, he displayed his power and presence by walking on the windy waters of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus taught the crowd of people that he is the bread of life. Faith in Christ brings eternal life. This faith is depicted as eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood. The people grumbled at Jesus’ hard teaching, and many stopped following Jesus. Jesus asked if his twelve disciples wanted to leave him, and Peter responded in faith and trust in Jesus. Jesus explained that he knew those who would betray him and those who were chosen to be his own. This narrative teaches about Jesus and the nature of discipleship. A summary of this story’s principles is outlined below.
Jesus’ Identity	Jesus is all-sufficient Provider (6:1–15), King (6:15), all-powerful Savior (6:16–21), Prophet (6:14), the Bread of Life (6:32–33, 35), true food and true drink (6:55), God’s Sent One (6:29), the Son of Man (6:27), the Son of God (6:40), the Holy One of God (6:69), and the One who has words of eternal life (6:68). He is the eternal One who is equal to God the Father (6:46).
Jesus’ Work	Jesus came to do his Father’s will (6:14, 27, 32–33, 38, 40). In Jesus’ death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension (6:51–55, 62), he gives eternal life—resurrection life—to all who believe in him (6:27, 33, 40, 47, 50–51, 57–58). All who are chosen are secure in their salvation and eternal life (6:12, 21, 35, 37, 39–40).
Genuine Faith	The “work” God requires is for people to believe in Christ (6:29). True faith is not human merit but a divine gift. Only God enables people to come to faith in Christ (6:44–45, 63, 65). Faith is described as eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood as a matter of feeding on Jesus (6:47, 50–51, 53-54, 56). This means faith is a wholehearted acceptance, receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord (6:60–61). Salvation by faith in Christ is a work of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (6:62–65). True faith is the opposite of doubt (6:7), despair (6:9), fear (6:20–21), a demanding spirit (6:30), grumbling (6:41–42, 61), quarreling (6:52), self-protection (6:61–62), and defection (6:64, 70–71).
Discipleship	Discipleship is a matter of following Christ (6:66–69). Many will have a superficial interest in Christ (6:1–3, 15, 24, 26), but will not follow him in the end (6:15, 64, 66–67, 70–71). Christ will put our faith to the test (6:6, 16–21) and call us to trust him with wholehearted devotion (6:59–71).
Lord’s Supper	This story foreshadows the Lord’s Supper. Jesus miraculously provided a meal on a mountain (6:1–15). When he fed the five thousand, he took bread, gave thanks, and distributed the food like he would during his last meal with his disciples (6:11, 23). Jesus identified himself as the bread of life (6:32–33, 35, 41, 48, 50–51, 58). When God’s people practice communion, they are enjoying Christ’s real presence with his people (6:16–21).

Personal Reflection: Entering the Story

Apply the Text: The word of God is binding and authoritative, the only reliable guide for faith and godliness. True disciples submit themselves to God’s word. In this movement, you will apply God’s word to your lives.

Reflection Questions

Encourage one person to share a testimony about how this story has impacted them so far. Use the reflection questions to examine your life in light of this biblical passage.

Spiritual Practice

Ministry Practice: Rehearsing the Script

Minister the Text: God’s word is living and active. Through God’s word, the Christian community is edified. In this movement, you will utilize the biblical passage to minister to other believers and build them up in their faith.

Application Questions

Look at the infographic below. Use the questions to think about how to minister this text to other believers.

Missional Outreach: Publicizing the Truth

Witness the Text: The Bible is a message of God’s gracious salvation to the world. In word and deed, God’s people proclaim the good news of the gospel. In this movement, you will use this biblical passage to reach out to unbelievers.

Strategy Questions

Reflect on the infographic below. Consider how you can use this passage to witness to the surrounding world. Use the suggested ideas to prime your imagination. Then, put together a plan to share this passage with unbelievers, Afterward, reflect on this mission experience.