Reflecting on John 6:25-40“Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)
Jesus talks about “coming” and “believing” as the same thing.
Many people came to Jesus, does that mean they believed in Him?
Yet the religious leaders came too, and they did not believe.
The difference is in how they came: open to receive or closed?
The many who came open did not fully understand Jesus, yet they came.
The analogy of ‘bread of life’ speaks to our deep soul need or hunger.
Those who are desperate, starving for help or hope, will come.
Those who are content, satisfied in themselves, will not.
God does not want to drive anyone away; God’s will is to raise everyone to life.
But sadly not everyone wants the life Jesus offers; they do not come to receive.
Faith is not believing the right things, it is being open to God for help and hope.
We have turned faith into a creed; Jesus saw it more as a desperate need.
Many people are desperate – hungry for hope – and the church demands a creed.
‘If you first believe this list of beliefs, you will receive the bread of life.’
Jesus sees the need, not the creed, and invites everyone to feast on God’s grace.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, forgive us for turning Your message into a religion of creeds and deeds, and for keeping hungry people away from Your table of grace. We have the bread of life in You; help us to freely share You with everyone!
Jesus is . . . the Bread of life. He is the answer to life everlasting. Come to the table now for it is prepared for you. He gave freely.
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name,
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name,
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to.
Chorus:
He said, Freely, freely you have received;
Freely, freely give.
Go in my name and because you believe,
Others will know that I live.”
All power is given in Jesus’ name,
In earth and heaven, in Jesus’ name;
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His power as He told me to.