Manna and the Bread of Life (Part 3): WHY WE NEED JESUS!
25th October 2008
Passage: John 6:25-58
Introduction
What motivates you to go to church?
Who is Jesus to you? Why do you need Him?
Which is more important? Faith or works?
Orientation
Where did this story take place?
At a synagogue in Capernaum (John 6:59)
When did it take place?
The day after Jesus fed the five thousand plus
Who is involved in this story?
God, Jesus and the multitudes
Scripture
Why did the crowds follow Jesus?
They wanted more food!
verse 28) What was the crowd’s reply after Jesus addressed them the first time? What does this signify?
They wanted to know what they could ‘do’ to get more bread. It shows that they believed that they could get anything as long as they work hard enough. They referred to the ‘works of God’ when there was only one thing to be done. Martha, Martha you are troubled by many things… This is a picture of people under the law.
Discussion point: What are the subtle ways in which believers are being placed under the law?
What was Jesus’ reply to their request for works? What does this mean?
a) He said ‘Just believe in me!’ It means that there is no formula, no rules and laws for believers to keep in order to obtain salvation. Faith is all you need!
verse 30) What did the crowds ask next? Why do you think they asked that?
After not being provided with food and a means to get more, they asked Jesus for a sign to prove that He is the messiah. “Show us a sign!” they said. Even after they had witnessed the miracle of food, they still did not believe. It shows rather that they weren’t interested in Jesus but in his miracles. Also proves that if Jesus came back today and performed signs, there will still be unbelievers.
(verse 32-33) What was wrong about the Jews conception of manna? What was Jesus’ exposition on the bread of Heaven?
They believed that Moses was the one who provided them with bread showing once again that when you take God out of the equation, you deify and exalt common people and things instead. Jesus corrected them and explained that manna was but a shadow of things to come and that the true bread of heaven was a person- Himself.
From these initial verses (25-33) what can be said of the types of people present in the crowd?
(b) There were MATERIALISTS, LEGALISTS and SENSATIONALISTS. Expound on the different types with the cell group. Materialists want physical benefits, legalists want charismatic leaders who can provide them with order and rules, sensationalists want miracles and spiritual highs. But none of them wanted Jesus for who He was.
“I am the bread of life…” What did Jesus ever mean by these words? What does it mean when He says that ‘whoever comes to Him shall never hunger and thirst’?
It showed that He was the only necessary thing for eternal life and by addressing their spiritual hunger which they were not aware of. Ask about the properties of bread with the cell group. Whoever eats of Him will never hunger again. It is a symbol of everlasting supply. Refer John 4:13-14 He is the bread that came down (katabas) and that comes down (katabainown).
(Verse 41) Why did the Jews grumble?
They could not accept Him because they (once again) mistakenly believed that he was the ‘son of Joseph’. Jesus was not born of Joseph. He was the son of God!
*(Verses 44-45) What do these verses mean?
No man can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them. How does the Father draw them? When people hear and learn from God, they will be drawn to Jesus. This is why going to church, cell group and personal devotions is so important. How can we ever fall in love with Jesus if we don’t know more about Him? How can we be closer to Him if we don’t spend time with Him? Refer to Hebrews 4:16, 7:19, 11:6, James 4:8
What does Jesus mean about eating His flesh? (verse 51) How does this contrast to the eating of manna?
Eating Jesus flesh is the taking in of him into our hearts. The belief in Him and continual trust is what it means to partake of Him. In contrast to manna, His bread gives eternal life and always satisfies whereas the Israelites perished after eating manna and were only satisfied for a day.
What happened after Jesus preached this message?
Many disciples left Him because they felt that His teaching was too difficult. They either did not understand, could not accept Him as God or were disappointed that they did not deliver what they wanted.
Reflection
Have I been striving to earn my salvation? What does Jesus say about receiving eternal life?
Do I want Jesus for the wrong reasons? Why should I seek Him then?
What does the communion/eucharist mean to me?
Application
Feed on Jesus daily. This means spending time in prayer and with His word. He provides provision, order and miracles for our benefit but these should NOT be what we hanker after. Rather we should fix our eyes on Jesus! Hebrews 12:2
Believe in Him! Trust in Him! That’s all you need to qualify for eternal life.
Recognise the significance of the Lord’s supper (communion/eucharist).
BREAD: It is the healing and provision for all believers. The remembrance of His suffering and promise of eternal life.
WINE: It is the mark of the NEW covenant for all believers. The remembrance of His death and the forgiveness of sins.
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