John 6:28-35

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” vs. 35

As is typical in the gospel of John, Jesus and his audience are operating on two entirely different levels. The people who had eaten their fill of bread were focused on their bellies and had a strong desire to have a regular supply. But when Jesus spoke about bread he had something else in mind. Instead of offering them sourdough or whole wheat, he offered himself. He invited them to come feast on his presence, an entirely new experience. From our perspective we see here a definite reference to Holy Communion, and it’s likely that’s what John was thinking about too. There is no account of the institution of the Eucharist in his gospel but he certainly knew about it when he wrote. He used the feeding of the multitude to connect his readers to the meal they were regularly eating as part of their worship. The Bread of Holy Communion was the Bread of Life, and those who ate of it would never be hungry again. It would be the central meal of their community, a banquet that pointed to the glorious feast that was to come. And so it is for us. Many things change in our life together, but the one constant from the beginning has been this meal–and so it will be for all time!

Thought for the Day: What benefits do I get from the bread of life?