Day 18- I AM the Bread of Life

After feeding the 5,000, the crowds following Jesus swell even larger. Jesus is aware now many are following Him just to get a free meal, or because everyone else is following Him, or to be entertained by an amazing miracle. To separate the followers from the fans Jesus teaches a hard message at Capernaum. "Eat my body and drink my blood!" He declares for all to hear. Many are offended or cannot accept His word and choose to walk away and never follow Him again. He turns to His disciples and asks, "Do you want to leave me too?" Peter speaks for the Twelve and replies, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life." Conflict with the religious leaders from Jerusalem continues. There's also mention of a future betrayal by one of the Twelve. A clear separation is happening between those who believe and those who make-believe.

READ: Matthew 14:34-36; 15:1-20; Mark 6:53-56; 7:1-23; John 6:22-71

Major Events

Jesus heals many at Gennesaret (Matt 14, Mark 6)
Pharisees come from Jerusalem to question Jesus about tradition (Matt 15, Mark 7)
Jesus teaches on the heart of man (Matt 15, Mark 7)
Jesus teaches a hard message at the synagogue in Capernaum and many disciples leave (John 6)

Major Topics

Pharisees
Scribes
Religious traditions
Doctrine
Word of God
Offense
Hypocrisy
Parable
Prophecy
Heart of man
Evil
Eternal life
Belief
Salvation
Bread of God
Will of God
Cost of discipleship

Video

Matthew 15:1-36

John 6

Key Verses & Words

The Story

Matthew 14:34-36 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; 36 and they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured.
John 6:24-25 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the small boats, and came to Capernaum seeking Jesus. 25 When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You get here?"
John 6:41 Therefore the Jews were grumbling about Him, because He said, "I am the bread that came down out of heaven."
John 6:59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.
John 6:60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, "This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?"
John 6:66-68 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" 68 Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.

The Teachings of Jesus

Matthew 15:18 "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.
Mark 7:7-8 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.' 8 "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men."
John 6:28-29 Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."
John 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.
John 6:40 "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."
John 6:47-48 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48 "I am the bread of life.
John 6:51 "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh."
John 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

Questions for Reflection

The Pharisees question Jesus (Matt 15, Mark 7)

How is it possible for us to be "religious" and yet be far from God?
In what ways are we sometimes like the Pharisees?
In what ways have you allowed man-made rules to obscure the spirit of the law (and the work of the Holy Spirit in your life)?

Jesus teaches at the synagogue in Capernaum (John 6)

What things do we seek from Jesus?
When and why did you come to Jesus?
In what way has Jesus satisfied your hunger and thirst for acceptance and meaning in life?
What teachings of Jesus have you found difficult to understand or accept?
When have you ever felt like turning away from Christ?
What makes you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?

Digging Deeper

David Guzik commentary Matthew 15, Mark 7, John 6,
Chuck Smith commentary John 6

Curious Christians

What was Manna?

God provided for the Israelites for 40 years in the desert wilderness by providing manna 6 days a week. What was it? Click on the picture for an article.

Living the Lesson

Here is where the Holy Spirit has opportunity to bring great revelation and transformation in your life--in reflection and obedience to what you have been reading and studying in God's Word today. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can respond in obedience to the devotion today. Use the following questions to prompt you.

Is there a...

SIN to confess?
PROMISE to claim?
ATTITUDE to change?
COMMAND to obey?
EXAMPLE to follow?
PRAYER to pray?
ERROR to avoid?
TRUTH to believe?
SOMETHING for which to praise God?