Timeless Truths: I AM Series #2 - I AM the Bread of Life

Each I AM describes who Jesus is AND who we are to be.

 They found him on the other side of the lake. They asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

 Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. You are not looking for me because you saw the signs I did. You are looking for me because you ate the loaves until you were full. Do not work for food that spoils. Work for food that lasts forever. That is the food the Son of Man will give you. For God the Father has put his seal of approval on him.”

 Then they asked him, “What does God want from us? What works does he want us to do?”

 Jesus answered, “God’s work is to believe in the one he has sent.”

 So they asked him, “What sign will you give us? What will you do so we can see it and believe you? Long ago our people ate the manna in the desert. It is written in Scripture, ‘The Lord gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” (Exodus 16:4; Nehemiah 9:15; Psalm 78:24,25)

 Jesus said to them, “What I’m about to tell you is true. It is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven. It is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. The bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven. He gives life to the world.”

 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

 Then Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry. And whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But it is just as I told you. You have seen me, and you still do not believe.

John 6:25-36 (NIV)

John 6 begins with the feeding of 5000 people. Verse 15 indicates a desire by the crowd to make Jesus king by force—by force, if necessary—because of the miracle.

V25. As the people are looking for Jesus, they ask, “When did you get here?”

V26. Jesus reveals the crowd’s motive—full stomachs!

V28. The crowd asks about works.

V29. Jesus answers about work. His answer is a life-changing belief.

“God’s work is to believe in the one he has sent.” v29

The people were used to believing in bread and water. He redirects their belief.

As Jesus offered Living Water—not stagnant—to the woman at the well, His Bread of Life is life-changing as well—not stale or moldy.

Worldly bread is considered “fine” by the world. Often times, any mold is simply scraped off the bread’s crust before eating.

As Christians, we are responsible for offering the Bread of Life.

Hospitality is part of this responsibility.

A look at Jesus’ hospitality

He didn’t eat alone very often.

     ·      Eating together builds relationships.

     ·      Healthy families eat together.

He was willing to eat with anyone.

     ·      He was frequently accused of associating with “sinners.”

     ·      Matthew 1 shows the less than genteel aspect of Jesus’ family lineage.

How often do we avoid relationships because of the “yuck” factor?

What it means to be hospitable

Openness. Open our homes and our lives to others.

Spontaneity. Inviting when the time is right.

Authenticity. Don’t hide your home, life, kids, etc. Things don’t to have to be perfect in your home, life, kids, etc. It is the desire to connect that is the key.

Willingness to share. 1) Your lives. 2) Your tables. 3) What Jesus has done for us.

Much of Jesus’ ministry occurred around a table.

We need to find room at the table for others.

The Bread of Life wasn’t meant to be hoarded.
The Bread of Life was meant to be shared!

Special thanks to Dr. Scott Peterson, Vice President For University Relations at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University for the central teachings in this series.

Next Timeless Truth: I AM Series #3 - I AM The Light of the World

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