I wrote “I Am the Bread of Life” for a San Francisco archdiocesan event in 1964. These words recorded by the apostle John lead us forward in obedient hope. Christ took on human skin and was crucified to eliminate the separation between God and His people. Because bread is so basic to our life, God was wise to nourish us with divine life in the form of bread, the Eucharist. A name used by Christians to denote Jesus Christ. But as it is, his bodily presence in the host is far more glorious than that understanding implies. WORDS OF JESUS IN RED. Enough was given to them to satisfy their hunger for the day. John 6:35, NIV: "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. The Greek root of the word bread refers specifically to the manna in the desert, but also to food of any kind. In Christ and God-willing, we are able to see and understand notes of Scripture, and life around us, through godly perspective and in tune with divine purpose. To say that we receive the glorified body of Christ indicates a number of things. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever." First, as noted, we are receiving the Risen Christ. John 6:35, ESV: "Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." He lost many followers as He spoke on this subject. Jesus’ earthly life was dedicated to executing the will of His Father. He came into the world not to give bread, but to be bread. The bread of life is not physical bread, but the bread of spiritual renewal found in … I Am The Bread of Life Sermon — We will study Jesus statement, “I am the bread of life.” Note the significance, the source, the supping, and the supply of the bread of life. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. Subscribe now. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” The Eucharist is not merely a piece of dead flesh or a part of Christ; we receive the whole Christ, living and risen: body, blood, soul and divinity. Jesus had worked a miracle of multiplying the loaves and fishes. She lives in Northern Ohio with her husband, Jim, and two daughters. Could you explain this a bit more? All rights reserved. Question: We Catholics believe we eat the body of Christ (transubstantiation), not bread, unlike Lutherans, who believe they eat both (consubstantiation). Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. She earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University but stepped out of the business world to stay at home and raise her two daughters. When the people ask for this bread, the Bible records, “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst’” . If anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” Unfortunately they were coming to Jesus looking for food that would leave them hungry again. Bible verse visual journey though John 6:35, explaining the meaning and scriptural context, through illustrations and concise words. The day before Jesus said, “I am the bread of life,” he multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish to feed 5,000 people. The word “species” is from the Latin specio, meaning “to look at, or see.” Thus the Eucharist still appears to be ordinary bread and wine and is sometimes referred to by those terms. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Christ came to eliminate the separation we all have from God before we accept Christ as our Savior. He who believes in me will never thirst” (John 6:35; he repeats himself in verses 48 and 51). It is rarely used in that way though and is most often use figuratively to mean the spiritual food needed for a full life. “I am the bread of life” is the first of the seven “I am” statements in John’s Gospel. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. ( D ) Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believe in me will never be thirsty.’… ‘I am the bread of life.’”John 6:35,48. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. But Christ in the Eucharist is present everywhere and can do that not only through the power of his divinity but also in his glorified humanity. Salem Media Group. Because of this and his glorified humanity, his bodily presence is more perfectly present so that even in the smallest visible fragment of the host, the whole Christ is present. It symbolized: the source of life because it was the primary means by which: those people survived. NIV Application Commentary, Gary M. Burge, 2000. Recall, too, the context of these words. Prior to his resurrection, Christ’s natural body — even though hypostatically united to his divine person — did not, of its nature, possess the ability to be everywhere. Through the relation of hunger, a physical need, Jesus explained the recalculation of our every desire -not just for physical food but spiritual - to be satisfied in Him. But from hearts seeking Christ, grace and love flow. “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you” (John 6:27). B read makes up a significant part of the daily diet of people around the world; it is a staple food item for many. Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ as an author, freelance writer, and blogger at Sunny&80. No one comes to the Father but through Him. When Jesus told the hungry crowds that he was the Bread of Life, he was teaching his followers that He alone was their true source of spiritual life, both in this present world and in the everlasting life to come. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51). Answer: We are eating the body and blood of Christ, but the point was that we ought not to reduce this understanding of the eating of a piece of flesh as when we eat steak or liver. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. “Not since the days of manna had a prophet provided miracle bread like that.” Jesus was now proclaiming to be Manna Himself, writes Trevin Wax. The one who comes to me will never go hungry, and the one who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35 NET) Paint Color #2: Purple Today, we are painting with the color “purple.” https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/bible-videos/Jesus teaches He is the Bread of Life. The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Cor 10:16). I was teaching high school at the time and wrote the song during my free period. I hope this helps, but we do well to recall that the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is far more glorious and mysterious than mere words can fully express. Of course, as Catholics, we do teach that, although the full substance of bread and wine pass over to become the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus, we acknowledge that the species of bread and wine remain. In this text, John records Jesus explaining He is the Bread of Life, the very Word of God made flesh. Bread might help keep us alive if we were starving, but if we want life that lasts forever, we need the bread of life! Manna was the miraculous bread given to the Israelites as they traveled through the desert. So what does Jesus mean when he says, “I am the Bread of Life?” Well, simply put, he means that we are not satisfied spiritually unless we know Jesus; we … The Living Word, Jesus in this one statement describes our need for Him, and the hope we find in Him to be fully satisfied by our Creator - the One True God. Their understanding of exactly what He meant, however, was divinely appointed. “God is the supplier of divine bread,” explains the NIV Commentary, “and whoever eats of it will live forever.” Every word Jesus spoke on earth carried precise weight and meaning. People's Bible Notes for John 6:35. What's the meaning of the phrase 'The bread of life'? His flesh — His life — given for the sins of the world is the staff that upholds us, and only those who trust in Him alone can find eternal salvation. 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. These statements were not easy for listeners of Jesus’ message to hear. I am the bread of life — Jesus, having explained the nature of the dignity which he had claimed in the foregoing part of his discourse, (John 6:33-40,) and demonstrated that it really belonged to him, here repeats what he had said John 6:35, and then runs a comparison between himself, considered as the bread from heaven, and the manna which Moses provided for their fathers in the desert, and which … They needed “eternal life” and He came down from heaven to give “life to the world.” He explained exactly what this means in verse 51, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. Charles Pope is the pastor of Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian in Washington, D.C., and writes for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. at blog.adw.org. There is a simple literal interpretation of this phrase, which is - the food that we require for physical sustenance. Our faith is anchored in grace, requiring no legalistic accolades or accomplishments. After some back and forth with them Jesus says, as if in frustration, “I AM the bread!” He then warns them against pining for food that perishes (ordinary bread) and to desire the true and living bread he wants to give them — namely, his very self. Not only is God Provider for our physical needs, but His Word made flesh satisfies the needs of our souls. And, so, though he uses bread to indicate the species, he is clearly saying that it is actually a partaking or communion (the Greek is koinónia) in the body of Christ. , and the life of the seven “I am” statements in John’s Gospel one may eat it! 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