Bread From Heaven!

John 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Jesus was ever as faithful in His rebukes as He was gracious and tender in His consolations. 

A crowd flock around Him. They do not come with a desire to hear His words, or to follow Him as their Master.

They come only in hopes of temporal advantage. Nor does this escape His observation:

John 6:26  Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

John 6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

He then, in answer to their inquiry, bids them believe on Him, as that which above all things the Father requires.

In their unbelief, they ask a sign. Forgetful of that marvelous exhibition of Divine power which they had of late witnessed in the feeding of the five thousand, they speak of Moses giving them manna in the desert, and would have Christ manifest some similar proof of His power.

Jesus does not grant their request, but reminds them of that other bread which the Father was now giving, and that of which all other was but the type and shadow:

John 6:32  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

John 6:33  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Taking the words in a mere natural sense, they ask that they may receive this: "LORD, evermore give us this bread."

Then Jesus points to Himself: "Earthly bread I have already given you; but for the nourishing of your souls you must feed on Me. I am the Bread of life; I am the living Bread that came down from Heaven...if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever."

It is evident that human hearts are tormented by unsatisfied longings, and cravings after a good which they never find.

If the most excellent creatures that God has made were all combined, they could never make the boast, "I have satisfied one soul."

One height gained, is but to open out the vision to one still higher. One blessing granted, only makes it plain that something still better must be given before Paradise be regained.

Hence the confession of the one who above all had made the experiment: "Vanity of vanities, says the preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity!"

Hence the sorrowful complaint of the Prophet: "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?" 

Wisdom's children have discovered the secret: there is satisfaction, but it is only in God.

As the deer pants after the water-brooks so pants my soul after You, O God. My soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land, where there is no water.

O satisfy us early with Your mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness.

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips; when I remember You upon my bed, and meditate on You in the night watches.

It has pleased the Father that in Jesus should be laid up the fullness which can meet all our desires. 

For this reason does He speak of Himself as the Bread of life, and gives the assurance that whoever comes to Him shall never hunger; and he who believes on Him shall never thirst.

 ~George Everard~