March, 2002

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.’” John 6:35

This is the first of a total of seven self-declarations of “I am” of Jesus. In the Greek language, the “I am” was spoken solemnly emphatic and it was significant as that it referred back to a particular incidence in the Old Testament. When Yahweh commissioned Moses to return to Egypt to deliver His chosen people from oppression. He wanted to know His name. Yahweh said to Moses, “I am who I am.” (Exod. 3:14) The Hebrew “I am” was written in the same emphatic way (this can only be appreciated with the original language). Jesus implied that He is the Bread of Life because He is the Great “I AM.”

Following a miracle that fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish (an amazing miracle, no less), Jesus withdrew from the crowd and went to the other side of the lake. Their desire to find Him wasn’t to be denied. The dialogue (vv.26-59) between Jesus and the people was profound. Jesus began by shifting their focus from physical satisfaction to spiritual fulfillment, from temporal to eternal nourishment. He pointed to their intention of looking for Him ad made it known that they weren’t impressed with miraculous signs, but rather, to have great meal again. If they were to see the miracle, they could have believed the one who performed the miracle. This is so true! If you were able to see the wonderful things done in your life by the Almighty God, you would believe He could provide your daily needs. Jesus’ advice was that, don’t consume all your efforts to satisfy physical hunger, which will return often, but rather, pay more attention to spiritual hunger, which goes beyond this age.

“I am the bread of life.” Jesus spoke of the food that satisfies is a Person, not a commodity. Of course, this should not be understood as Jesus telling people to “eat” His flesh and “drink” His blood literally (vv. 53-56). The Bread of Life means nourishment that provides life. Since He is the eternal God, therefore, anyone who is in a right relationship with Him will find satisfaction which is everlasting, not temporal. The word “never” is also emphatic (double negative) in Greek. When you cultivate a healthy relationship by going to and believing in Jesus, your soul will never be hungry or thirsty; always be satisfied. How’s that for a promise from the Great “I am”!