The Jewish leadership looked forward to a person who would save the nation, but they didn’t think the Messiah had to be God. But Jesus told them He is God as He declares, “I am the bread of life.” We may see the words “I am” as simple English, but God used them to name and describe Himself.
Exodus 3: 13 But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?”
14 God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.”[1]
Moses had asked for God’s name, and God replied, “I am.” The Jewish leadership was well aware of this title, so when Jesus used it, they murmured and complained. “I am” is in the present tense and denotes that God is present with us. This phrase emphasizes God’s eternal nature and active involvement in our world.
The Father Sent Jesus From Heaven
In John 6, Jesus explained that He had come down from heaven five times (John 6:33, 38, 50, 51, 58). Jesus also told them that God the Father had sent Him five times (vv. 29, 38, 39, 44, 57). By calling God His Father, Jesus was also implying that He was the Son of God.
These statements did not sit well with the Jewish leadership, and they complained. John 6: 41 Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” [2]
Jesus Came from Heaven to Bring Us to Heaven
Jesus had a reply to their complaints. John 6: 43 But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. 44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. [3] The Father had sent Jesus to repair the corruption sin had caused. And Jesus followed God’s will as He laid down His life on the cross to pay the blood price for our sins.
John 6: 40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.[4] The way to heaven involves believing in Jesus, and He continued to explain how He is the Bread of Life. John 6: 58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.” [5] Sadly, after Jesus said this, many stopped following Him because they refused to believe His message.
Jesus told them He is God. Some were willing to believe, and some were not. It remains the same for us today. It matters what we believe about Jesus. May you be willing to trust Jesus as your Savior so that He will raise you up at the last day. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-said-i-am-the-bread-of-life
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.