The use of the term “corporeal” refers to the fact that his body and blood are really and truly present in the blessed sacrament. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Besides writing, she leads a Bible Study for Women and serves as a Youth Ministry leader in her community. We have been studying together the Gospel of John, and just going through verse by verse, paragraph by paragraph. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." To get what John 6:35 means based on its source text, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context and relative popularity. The Eucharist is not merely a piece of dead flesh or a part of Christ; we receive the whole Christ, living and risen: body, blood, soul and divinity. They needed “eternal life” and He came down from heaven to give “life to the world.” He explained exactly what this means in verse 51, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. “The day before Jesus said these things, he had fed a crowd of 5,000 people with loaves and fish,” explained Jon Bloom for desiring God. JOHN 6:50-51 50 “This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. Recall, too, the context of these words. NIV Application Commentary, Gary M. Burge, 2000. Through the relation of hunger, a physical need, Jesus explained the recalculation of our every desire -not just for physical food but spiritual - to be satisfied in Him. Jewish leaders also referred to bread, or manna, as spiritual food. Their understanding of exactly what He meant, however, was divinely appointed. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. It symbolized: the source of life because it was the primary means by which: those people survived. Especially in the light of Passover, He knew the Jewish leaders and God’s people would understand His reference to bread. Because of this and his glorified humanity, his bodily presence is more perfectly present so that even in the smallest visible fragment of the host, the whole Christ is present. Paul wrote about our strength coming from Christ, and Scripture echoes that the purpose of our lives is to honor and bring glory to God in all we do. The old English proverb that “bread is the staff of life” is never truer than when it is used to refer to Jesus. One day, after filling the empty stomachs of over 5,000 people, Jesus said to them, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. “God is the supplier of divine bread,” explains the NIV Commentary, “and whoever eats of it … He answers, it is here; I am that bread. Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ as an author, freelance writer, and blogger at Sunny&80. His flesh — His life — given for the sins of the world is the staff that upholds us, and only those who trust in Him alone can find eternal salvation. Without this understanding, some might be tempted to wonder what part of the host contained his eyes or arms, etc., and why the host doesn’t weigh 190 pounds or so. The Israelites in the desert were required to trust God daily for manna, their literal daily bread. Because bread is so basic to our life, God was wise to nourish us with divine life in the form of bread, the Eucharist. Jesus was telling them that he came to give his life so that they could have everlasting life -- … The Living Bread From Heaven : In the time of Jesus, bread was the staff of life. He is the only way to the Father. New King James Version And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Our faith is anchored in grace, requiring no legalistic accolades or accomplishments. But as it is, his bodily presence in the host is far more glorious than that understanding implies. Jesus told them that he is “the bread of life”. If they kept any for the next day, it would spoil with worms. Not only is God Provider for our physical needs, but His Word made flesh satisfies the needs of our souls. To say that we receive the glorified body of Christ indicates a number of things. #2 “‘I am the bread of life.’” Jesus is the life-giving sustenance that we need if we are to live and not die. Second, it does not pertain to a natural body to be present everywhere. Found only in John’s gospel, this phrase is repeated twice more, part of a bigger text and even larger prophetic fulfillment of the seven “I am” statements of Jesus. He lost many followers as He spoke on this subject. John 6:35-59 consists of teaching by Jesus centered on his proclamation, “I am the bread of life” (verses 35, 48). The bread represents the upper Bindu associated with the mantra Soham meaning “I am” … “The darkness of the world is so severe that God alone must penetrate it in order to free people to see Jesus clearly,” writes the NIV Application Commentary. She earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University but stepped out of the business world to stay at home and raise her two daughters. Jesus, The Bread of Life, fully satisfies our every hunger. Without the bread of life man cannot live spiritually. Christ took on human skin and was crucified to eliminate the separation between God and His people. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51). The first of the “I am” statements of Jesus, which solidify His nature as fully God and fully man is “I am the bread of life,” which describes the way we find full satisfaction in and through Christ alone. “I am the Bread of Life” is another way of saying: “Without My death, you cannot live.” Just as bread is the essential element in the human diet, Jesus says that He Himself is the foundation for spiritual life. First of all, Christ is living, not dead. The bread is the flesh of Jesus. It was a kind of free meal for 20,000. Just as physically man needs to eat in order to live, … White bread, rye bread, wheat bread, pita bread, zucchini bread, and pumpernickel! I Am The Bread of Life Sermon — We will study Jesus statement, “I am the bread of life.” Note the significance, the source, the supping, and the supply of the bread of life. Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. He came into the world not to give bread, but to be bread. 'I Am the Bread of Life' Throughout the Bible, bread is a symbolic representation of God's life-sustaining provision. When Jesus says, “I am the bread of life,” it is as if to say, “the bread of life is actually me.” He also says, “the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (Jn 6:51). John 6:51 – “the bread which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” The flesh represents Mamsa, one of the 5 Ms of the Panchamakara. The day before Jesus said, “I am the bread of life,” he multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish to feed 5,000 people. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Enough was given to them to satisfy their hunger for the day. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believe in me will never be thirsty.’… ‘I am the bread of life.’”John 6:35,48. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. Charles Pope is the pastor of Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian in Washington, D.C., and writes for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. at. I wrote “I Am the Bread of Life” for a San Francisco archdiocesan event in 1964. Finally, his glorified humanity means he can be present fully in every part of the host or drop of the precious blood. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever." The bread of life is not physical bread, but the bread of spiritual renewal found in … of It is rarely used in that way though and is most often use figuratively to mean the spiritual food needed for a full life. Recall, too, the context of these words. God is our Provider, and Jesus is the Bread of Life. Here is the main point: Jesus did not come into the world mainly to give bread, but to be bread. A name used by Christians to denote Jesus Christ. He who believes in me will never thirst” (John 6:35; he repeats himself in verses 48 and 51). But Christ in the Eucharist is present everywhere and can do that not only through the power of his divinity but also in his glorified humanity. WORDS OF JESUS IN RED. Charles Pope is the pastor of Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian in Washington, D.C., and writes for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. at blog.adw.org. And, so, though he uses bread to indicate the species, he is clearly saying that it is actually a partaking or communion (the Greek is koinónia) in the body of Christ. Those who come to Him will never again be hungry. After some back and forth with them Jesus says, as if in frustration, “I AM the bread!” He then warns them against pining for food that perishes (ordinary bread) and to desire the true and living bread he wants to give them — namely, his very self. No one comes to the Father but through Him. And his humanity is glorified. He who comes to me will not hunger. ( B ) Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes ( C ) in me will never be thirsty. Send feedback to us at oursunvis@osv.com, Msgr. John 6:35, ESV: "Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." Jesus’ earthly life was dedicated to executing the will of His Father. Jesus spoke in terms, parables, and analogies most could understand. – John 6:35 When Jesus told His followers that He was the bread of life, He was giving them a solution—not just for their physical hunger but also for their … “God must move the inner heart of a person before he or she can see the things of God. John begins his gospel account with, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. Msgr. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. If anyone eats from this bread he will live forever. But, Jesus says in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life.” That’s fodder for the other side. These statements were not easy for listeners of Jesus’ message to hear. “God is the supplier of divine bread,” explains the NIV Commentary, “and whoever eats of it will live forever.” Every word Jesus spoke on earth carried precise weight and meaning. The next day, some of these people looked for Jesus. He who heals every ailment and provides for every need will be faithful. The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Cor 10:16). Answer: I’m not sure why you conclude that. The one who comes to me will never go hungry, and the one who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35 NET) Paint Color #2: Purple Today, we are painting with the color “purple.” Joh 6:35 Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life. John recorded Jesus’ promise that all who freely accept this bread will no longer hunger. This important note of Scripture defines our need to trust the Living Word to satisfy our physical bodies, heart and soul. Lesson 1 covered Jesus as the “I am.” He is the answer to the spiritual needs of every person. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” I hope this helps, but we do well to recall that the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is far more glorious and mysterious than mere words can fully express. Perhaps no food comes in as many varieties as bread, known as the staff of life. But from hearts seeking Christ, grace and love flow. https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/bible-videos/Jesus teaches He is the Bread of Life. For example, St. Paul writes: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? She lives in Northern Ohio with her husband, Jim, and two daughters. Subscribe now. Answer: We are eating the body and blood of Christ, but the point was that we ought not to reduce this understanding of the eating of a piece of flesh as when we eat steak or liver. And now, some of them are pursuing Jesus and want more free bread. They ask for this bread. What's the meaning of the phrase 'The bread of life'? The first of the “I am” statements of Jesus, which solidify His nature as fully God and fully man is “I am the bread of life,” which describes the way we find full satisfaction in and through Christ alone. “Jesus came into the world to change your desires so that he would be your main desire,” explained John Piper. Of course, as Catholics, we do teach that, although the full substance of bread and wine pass over to become the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus, we acknowledge that the species of bread and wine remain. John 6:35, NIV: "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. John’s prose reminds Christ followers where our strength and sustenance comes from, both physically and spiritually. When we celebrate the Last Supper through communion, we are reinstating our trust in God, and our need for Him to satisfy our souls. “I am the bread of life” is the first of the seven “I am” statements in John’s Gospel. In this lesson, we will look at Jesus as the bread of life. I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. The NIV Application Commentary explains, “the idea is not about Jesus’ welcoming people, but about Jesus’ welcoming people whom the Father has given into his care.”. ( D ) “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you” (John 6:27). Question: We Catholics believe we eat the body of Christ (transubstantiation), not bread, unlike Lutherans, who believe they eat both (consubstantiation). Definition: The Bread of Life is the spiritual food needed by man. Did you enjoy this article? Unfortunately they were coming to Jesus looking for food that would leave them hungry again. Bible verse visual journey though John 6:35, explaining the meaning and scriptural context, through illustrations and concise words. Christ came to eliminate the separation we all have from God before we accept Christ as our Savior. Both terms are significant in that they each have spiritual meaning and connection. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. They are both symbolic and are different ways Jesus used to reach these people. Jesus is imploring believers to put full confidence in Him, trusting He will provide wisdom that leads to true satisfaction. Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Her first book, “Friends with Everyone,”  is available on amazon.com. 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