Jesus had fed the crowd of thousands when they came to hear Him preach, but then He disappeared and left them on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They sought Him out again, but Jesus knew they were only hoping for another free meal. He told them not to look for temporary food but for the bread that gives eternal life, which He would give them. This conversation is very similar to Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well, where Jesus offers to give her living water. But while she asks Jesus for the water, this crowd asks what they can do to perform the work of God, as if they can earn it. Jesus said He would give it to them, and He tells them all they need to do is to believe in Him. But they miss the point and ask for a sign, preferably manna from Heaven. They still want more earthly food. Jesus told them that He is the bread of life.
My Response
The crowd didn’t like what followed. Jesus is the bread of life, and we must eat of His flesh and drink His blood. By faith, we partake of His body and blood, accepting our part with Him in His death and resurrection. By faith we are buried with Him in baptism and raised to new life. But the crowd was still preoccupied with earthly concerns rather than eternal matters.
Think about your prayer life. Do you spend more time asking the Lord to give you earthly food or asking Him to build you spiritually?