In this section, Jesus lays out perhaps the most difficult revelation of His ministry. Thus far he has responded to questions from the Jews in Capernaum regarding the bread, the amazing bread that Jesus had miraculously produced by prayer a few days earlier. This bread that came down from heaven, had been a life-changing experience for those who had been there that day, and was continuing to amaze those who had heard about it and were hoping for a repeat performance from this man with the divine connection.
That is all Jesus was to the masses and the Jews in the synagogue in Capernaum - a miracle man with miracle powers. But, to their amazement, Jesus emphasizes not what He can do, but where He came from and Who and What He is. He is the bread that came down from heaven, not given by the power of a man. This is the sign that Jesus used to awaken His audience and serve as a call for belief. The nature of the miracle points only to the miracle of the man Jesus, the Word, the Son of God, the bread of heaven.
And the response? Not much different from today. Many accept Jesus as a historical man, filled with love for humanity, offering tender mercy and physical provision for the hungry and destitute, and maybe even providing a few general guiding principles for living. But to claim Himself to be sent from God, to be His Son, and to be the messenger, the message, and means of salvation? Who can hear this message? Who can believe that He is the bread of separation and salvation?
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February 2, 2014 | Pastor John Bayles | The Bread of Separation and Salvation | Part 2 | John 6:41-60
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