The Bread of Life

February 12, 2017

Partial Outline: FULL PDF HERE

“I Am The BREAD OF LIFE”

John 6:30-36, 47-63 (text v. 35)

This is the first of seven “I AM” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Jesus was teaching that He is whatever we need Him to be.

I am the bread of life (6:35). If you are spiritually hungry Jesus is your sustenance. As bread provides physical nourishment, so Jesus provides substance to our spiritual life.
I am the light of the world (8:12). If you’re in the dark, Jesus will “light up” your life.
I am the door (10:7). If you feel trapped, Jesus is the door way out!
I am the good shepherd (10:11). If you’re lost, Jesus will guide you and care for you.
I am the resurrection and the life (11:25). If you are dead in sin, Jesus will quicken you.
I am the way, and the truth, and the life (14:6). If your life lacks meaning, Jesus is the purpose for living (Phil. 1:21).
I am the true vine (15:11). If your life is empty, Jesus will make your life fruitful.

Perhaps you’ve seen the recent Weight Watchers commercial where Oprah Winfrey says, “I love bread (and chips)!” I’m not a promoter of Winfrey or Weight Watchers, but I have to say, “Amen! I love bread, too.”

I wouldn’t do well on a “no bread diet.” Hardly a day goes by that I don’t eat bread in some form or another—A sandwich, toast, muffin. biscuit. bread stick, hamburger bun, cinnamon roll, a donut (fried piece of bread dough with a hole in it and coated with glaze!)

During the days when Christ was on earth, bread was the principle food for people. Jesus instructed His disciples to pray, “Give us this day our DAILY bread.”

Jesus used this indispensable commodity of bread to teach some tremendous spiritual truths about Himself.

The CONTEXT. Jesus statement concerning “the bread of life” was preceded by the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 (vs. 1-14).

I. The SIMILITUDE of it.

Jesus liken Himself to bread six times in this passage (vs. 32-33, 35, 41, 48, 51, 58).

The manna is a type of Jesus Christ (6:31-35 cf. Ex. 16:4, 13-21).

A. Divine in it’s origin (John 6:31-32). The DEITY of Jesus.

1. The Jews thought Moses gave them the manna…But it was God. Moses was only the human instrument. We must look beyond the man to God who works through the man.

2. It came down from heaven (vs.33,38,41,42,50,51,58).

Seven times Jesus said He came DOWN from heaven.

He came DOWN from heaven to meet our deepest need.
He laid His life DOWN on the cross.
He is set DOWN at the Father’s right hand, interceding for us.
He will come again to put DOWN His enemies (1 Cor. 15:24-25).

B. Small in it’s size (Ex. 16:31). The HUMILITY of Jesus.

C. Round in it’s shape (Ex.16:14,31). The ETERNALNESS of Jesus.

D. White in it’s color (Ex. 16: 31). The PURITY of Jesus.

E. Sweet to the taste (Ex. 16:31). Jesus is sweet to all who trust Him.

F. Sufficient for all (John 6:33).

The manna in the wilderness was only given to Israel. No Gentile partook of the manna. But “the true Bread… giveth life unto the world.” (vs. 32-33). Jesus, “the Bread of life” reaches beyond Israel to the whole world.