Day 42, John 6
Finally, we turn to John’s account of the feeding of the five thousand and the storm when Jesus walked on the water. Then John gives us the content of Jesus’ sermon in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Jesus uses bread as a metaphor for His own life: just as the Israelites received manna from God in the wilderness, now God is providing living bread in Jesus. We can only benefit from this provision if we receive it. We need to ‘eat Jesus’ to know life. This prefigures the way Jesus will fulfill the Passover meal and turn it into a celebration of His body broken for us and His blood shed for us.
People were offended by this R-rated metaphor, implying cannibalism, and many of His followers turn away. Jesus asks the twelve if they want to leave too, Peter responds with the well-known response: “you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” John records how Jesus then discloses that one of the 12 is an adversary or accuser, an enemy.
Throughout this chapter we see numerous examples of John’s eternal focus. He wants us to see the divinity of Jesus, the Son of God, and the eternal significance of His teaching, death and resurrection.
Still today we apply the truths Jesus spoke in that synagogue: bread is life if it is broken and consumed. Jesus is life if you accept His brokenness in your place.
Have a great day!
Mark.