Young People's Group

Eating the Living Bread of Life

by Mitchell Tan
October 28, 2021

THE TEMPORAL VALUE OF SEEKING AND EATING PHYSICAL BREAD

When the multitude sought the Lord Jesus, they were doing it for the wrong motivation. Many thought that He may be a great provider of food for the rest of their lives. Our Saviour had to help them see that the value of such shorted-sighted endeavours is ultimately short-lived.

“Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead.”
John 6:49

The people had experienced the Lord Jesus feeding the five thousand. But they spoke of how Israel was provided 40 years of manna in the wilderness. Secretly, they hoped for the same type of provision. The Lord Jesus then taught of how those who ate the physical manna were now dead. This was the temporal value of seeking and eating physical bread. It would end with physical death. The worth of seeking physical and material things in life is at best evanescent.

THE ETERNAL VALUE OF SEEKING AND EATING THE LIVING BREAD OF LIFE

“This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. 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.”
John 6:50-51

1. THE PERSON OF THE LORD JESUS AS THE LIVING BREAD OF LIFE

What is more important is for us to seek the Lord Jesus as the living bread of life. He who came down from heaven is intrinsically alive and full of life. He is our eternal source of spiritual life. Furthermore, He will give His flesh for the salvation of the world. He has died and has risen! He is the divine giver of everlasting life.

2. THE PROFOUND MEANING OF EATING THE LIVING BREAD OF LIFE

This is a profound figure of speech being used by the Lord Jesus. He as the living bread that came down from heaven is intrinsically alive and full of life. Eating the bread of life means to feed spiritually on the Lord Jesus. When we believe in Him, we commence having a living relationship with our Saviour. We are to be personally connected to Him so that we can draw spiritual nourishment from Him, His example and His words. There will be spiritual sustenance. Our faith in Him will not be static but it will be active and alive.

3. THE PERMANENT RESULTS OF EATING THE LIVING BREAD OF LIFE

Those who choose to feed on the bread of life will live on spiritually forever. Their souls will not die. They will have everlasting life in heaven. They will also seek to have a vibrant spiritual life. The value of eating the bread of life is eternal. It is priceless! This is something to be deeply appreciated.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

1. FOR SEEKERS

Believing in the Lord Jesus is not just about having assurance in going to heaven. It is about having a personal and living relationship with the Lord Jesus. Let’s seek to have this living faith in Him.

2. FOR BELIEVERS

“Eating” the Lord Jesus is indeed a great privilege and to be treasured. Let’s seek to be connected to the Lord Jesus and to draw nourishment from Him and His word on a daily basis that we find spiritual strength in Him. Let’s follow Him and His ways faithfully that He may feed our souls always.

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