Joh 6:35 | KingComments | STEP | The crowd reacts like the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob ( ). Just like she only thought of natural water, so does the crowd only think of natural, material bread, similar to the manna. If it would fall from heaven, as it did then, they would not have to buy it. They ignore the history of unbelief of the nation. The only thing that matters to them is the direct, easy and free-of-charge satisfaction of their natural needs. Then the Lord forthrightly says that He is the bread of life as well as how someone can partake of it. Actually they can get it on their terms: directly, easily and free of charge. All they have to do is come to Him and believe in Him. If they do that, they will never be hungry or thirsty again. In this Gospel, the Lord uses the expression “I am” seven times followed by a different addition. Here He uses this expression the first time. The addition is 1. “the bread of life”. The other additions are 2. “the Light of the world” ( ); 3. “the door of the sheep” ( ); 4. “the good shepherd” ( ); 5. “the resurrection and the life” ( ); 6. “the way, and the truth, and the life” ( ); 7. “the true vine” ( ). The words “I am” have a great connotation. To pronounce these words is to pronounce His Name ( ). By pronouncing them, the crowd that comes to take Him captive falls to the ground ( ). On His invitation to come to Him the Lord immediately adds that He knows in His Divine omniscience what they are like. He has also told them that. They have seen Him, but they do not believe in Him. They reject Him because He does not respond to their natural desires. He asks them to do things they do not want to do, such as bowing before His majesty and confessing their sins in the light of His majesty. They have no eye for His glory. And yet He is so remarkably loving in His approach to them!

‏ John 6:35

I Am the Bread of Life

The crowd reacts like the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob (Jn 4:15). Just like she only thought of natural water, so does the crowd only think of natural, material bread, similar to the manna. If it would fall from heaven, as it did then, they would not have to buy it. They ignore the history of unbelief of the nation. The only thing that matters to them is the direct, easy and free-of-charge satisfaction of their natural needs.

Then the Lord forthrightly says that He is the bread of life as well as how someone can partake of it. Actually they can get it on their terms: directly, easily and free of charge. All they have to do is come to Him and believe in Him. If they do that, they will never be hungry or thirsty again.

In this Gospel, the Lord uses the expression “I am” seven times followed by a different addition. Here He uses this expression the first time. The addition is

1. “the bread of life”. The other additions are

2. “the Light of the world” (Jn 8:12);

3. “the door of the sheep” (Jn 10:7);

4. “the good shepherd” (Jn 10:11);

5. “the resurrection and the life” (Jn 11:25);

6. “the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6);

7. “the true vine” (Jn 15:1).

The words “I am” have a great connotation. To pronounce these words is to pronounce His Name (Exo 3:14). By pronouncing them, the crowd that comes to take Him captive falls to the ground (Jn 18:5-6).

On His invitation to come to Him the Lord immediately adds that He knows in His Divine omniscience what they are like. He has also told them that. They have seen Him, but they do not believe in Him. They reject Him because He does not respond to their natural desires. He asks them to do things they do not want to do, such as bowing before His majesty and confessing their sins in the light of His majesty. They have no eye for His glory. And yet He is so remarkably loving in His approach to them!