When John writes about Jesus he writes with a spiritual perspective of events. Matthew writes literally, John writes spiritually. John tells us that Jesus told his disciples that his words are “Spirit and life”. The people were having a little trouble with Jesus’ words. He tells them that he is “bread” and they cannot understand him in John chapter 6. Jesus says he is the “bread of life” twice and talks about bread fifteen times. They want McDonalds. Jesus also says that he gives eternal life four times and that he will raise people up four times. These are great secrets for the kingdom, but they did’t care, they would settle for Wendy’s. Jesus also tells the crowd and all the disciples that he came down to earth from heaven. These are all hard things for people to hear. Jesus didn’t preach a happy Gerber Baby Food gospel to these people who came after him. He wasn’t trying to gain followers. He was trying to lose followers. This is the way we should think about the hard things we have to teach and share. If people fall away because they cannot understand or do not have the faith to believe the written word, it is perfectly alright. This is what Jesus did. His hard words were not for everyone.
Jesus had fed five thousand people, walked on the water to the disciples, and had transported the boat with the disciples to the other side of the lake toward Capernaum. Then many of the five thousand or so all went looking for him. They got in boats and found him. Then they asked how he got there. Instead of answering the question, Jesus responds with the revealing of their heart, they only came because he fed them.
John 6:26 G611 [2answered G1473 3to them G3588 G* 1Jesus] G2532 and G2036 said, G281 Amen, G281 amen, G3004 I say G1473 to you, G2212 You seek G1473 me, G3756 not G3754 that G1492 you saw G4592 signs, G235 but G3754 that G2068 you ate G1537 from G3588 the G740 bread loaves G2532 and G5526 were filled.
27 G2038 Work G3361 not G3588 for the G1035 food G3588 G622 perishing! G235 but G3588 the G1035 food G3588 G3306 abiding G1519 unto G2222 life G166 eternal, G3739 which G3588 the G5207 son G3588 G444 of man G1473 will give to you; G1325 G3778 for this one G1063 G3588 [2the G3962 3father G4972 4set seal upon G3588 G2316 1God]!
28 G2036 They said G3767 then G4314 to G1473 him, G5100 What G4160 should we do G2443 that G2038 we work G3588 the G2041 works G3588 G2316 of God?
They did not understand who Jesus really was. They thought it would be rather convenient if they could do the miracles with food that he did. So they asked. Jesus tried to set their vision above, telling them to work for the things that will produce everlasting life. Who gives eternal life? Jesus. Jesus says “the Elohim Father stamped it”. The idea is that a seal or stamp would prove the authenticity of something, in this case the Son of Man giving eternal life. The Son, Jesus Messiah, will give eternal life, and that is sealed, stamped, and documented. The crowd did not understand the eternal life they would receive. They wanted food because that would be immediately beneficial for them
John 6:29 G611 Jesus answered G3588 G* G2532 and G2036 said G1473 to them, G3778 This G1510.2.3 is G3588 the G2041 work G3588 G2316 of God, G2443 that G4100 you should have trusted G1519 in G3739 whom G649 that one sent. G1565
30 G2036 They said G3767 then G1473 to him, G5100 What G3767 [2then G4160 3do you do G1473 G4592 1sign], G2443 that G1492 we should know G2532 and G4100 we should trust G1473 in you? G5100 What G2038 work do you do?
31 G3588 G3962 Our fathers G1473 G3588 [2the G3131 3manna G2068 1ate] G1722 in G3588 the G2048 wilderness, G2531 as G1510.2.3 it is G1125 written, G740 Bread G1537 from out of G3588 the G3772 heaven G1325 he gave G1473 to them G2068 to eat.
Jesus explains that the feeding of the crowd was the work of the Elohim so that they would believe on him, Jesus, but they didn’t understand. They told Jesus to give them another sign instead. They figured that since their forefathers all ate manna in the desert they too could somehow tap the heavenly kitchen for food. Jesus reminds them that it was not Moses but the Father that gave them food from heaven. They are looking to men, not to the Heavenly Father, for food.
John 6:32 G2036 [3said G3767 2then G1473 4to them G3588 G* 1Jesus], G281 Amen, G281 amen, G3004 I say G1473 to you, G3756 Moses has not G* G1325 given G1473 to you G3588 the G740 bread G1537 from G3588 the G3772 heaven; G235 but G3588 G3962 my father G1473 G1325 gives G1473 to you G3588 the G740 bread G1537 from G3588 the G3772 heaven -- G3588 the G228 true.
33 G3588 G1063 For G740 the bread G3588 G2316 of God G1510.2.3 is G3588 the one G2597 descending G1537 from out of G3588 the G3772 heaven, G2532 and G2222 [2life G1325 1giving] G3588 to the G2889 world.
34 G2036 They said G3767 then G4314 to G1473 him, G2962 O Master, G3842 at all times G1325 give G1473 to us G3588 G740 this bread!
Jesus adds to the subject by telling them that he, the one who descended out of heaven and gives life to the world, is the bread of the Elohim. Imagine if we could somehow get free groceries for the rest of our lives. That is what they were asking Jesus. Wherever he got the bread and fish they wanted that endless supply. They wanted food like the manna the Father gave them. That would be a really valuable skill to have, like an Automat restaurant. Jesus is talking about giving life to the world and they are talking about food.
John 6:35 G2036 [3said G1161 1And G1473 4to them G3588 G* 2Jesus], G1473 I G1510.2.1 am G3588 the G740 bread G3588 G2222 of life; G3588 the one G2064 coming G4314 to G1473 me, G3766.2 in no way G3983 should hunger; G2532 and G3588 the one G4100 believing G1519 in G1473 me, G3766.2 in no way G1372 should thirst G4455 at any time.
Jesus tells them that he is the bread of life. He wasn’t suggesting that they roast him, he was suggesting that they follow him. If we follow him we won’t hunger or thirst either. There are two things being said here. One is that Jesus is the spiritual food that gives life. Eat this bread and we will not be hungry for spiritual things, he will fill us. The second thing is that if we are being fed spiritually, we will loyally follow him and he will supply all our needs. We can be abased or we can abound. Paul explains this for us.
Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
If those people would commit to following Jesus as the twelve disciples did they would never be hungry or thirsty because the Father would supply their need in Messiah Jesus.
John 6:36 G235 But G2036 I said G1473 to you, G3754 that G2532 even G3708 you have seen G1473 me G2532 and G3756 do not G4100 trust.
37 G3956 All G3739 which G1325 [3gives G1473 4to me G3588 1the G3962 2father], G4314 [2to G1473 3me G2240 1shall come]; G2532 and G3588 the one G2064 coming G4314 to G1473 me G3766.2 in no way G1544 shall I cast G1854 outside
Jesus is talking about people now. Whoever the people are that the Father gives him, those who will come to Jesus Messiah, Jesus will not expel them outside. Jesus will keep the people that he is given if they come to him. That is good information. Jesus also said this:
Mat 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Jesus won’t cast anyone out who comes to him, however many do not want to come to him, effectively casting themselves outside the kingdom of heaven.
There are people who believe that the Elohim is an angry god who punishes and beats people up at will and on a whim. This is not true. Jesus came because he loves us. Angels sinned. Rebellious sons of the Elohim fell. They scammed the adam and took his authority on the earth. Now we are born into slavery, bondage, oppression, and we don’t even recognize who the god of this world is. We attribute all things to the Father of Jesus Messiah, both good and evil. This is not truth. Jesus is going to explain who he is and the people are going to struggle with it. They are focused on food.
John 6:38 G3754 For G2597 I have descended G1537 from G3588 the G3772 heaven, G3756 not G2443 that G4160 I should do G3588 G2307 [2will G3588 G1699 1my], G235 but G3588 the G2307 will G3588 of the one G3992 having sent G1473 me.
39 G3778 And this G1161 G1510.2.3 is G3588 the G2307 will G3588 of the G3992 [2having sent G1473 3me G3962 1father], G2443 that G3956 all G3739 which G1325 he has given G1473 to me G3361 I should not G622 lose G1537 of G1473 it, G235 but G450 should raise it G1473 G1722 in G3588 the G2078 last G2250 day.
40 G3778 And this G1161 G1510.2.3 is G3588 the G2307 will G3588 of the one G3992 having sent G1473 me, G2443 that G3956 every one G3588 G2334 viewing G3588 the G5207 son, G2532 and G4100 trusting G1519 in G1473 him, G2192 should have G2222 life G166 eternal; G2532 and G450 I will raise him up, G1473 G1473 I myself G3588 in the G2078 last G2250 day.
Jesus just told them twice that he was going to raise people up. He would raise people in the last day. What day is the last day? There are many last days. One last day is the harpazo, the last day of the saints on the earth. Then there is the last day on the Day of the Lord when Israel is brought back from the ends of heaven and earth to inhabit Jerusalem, while Jesus Messiah reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords. There is a last day at the white throne judgment, where it will literally be the last day for evil beings. The last day is entirely dependent on the individual believer. If one looks at Jesus and has faith, just as John 3:16 states, ‘whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life’, they will indeed. That one can go further into attaining to the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of the Father, but in the smallest sense at least that one will have eternal life.
Jesus does the rising up. The interesting thing is that one will not be risen up if that one does not believe on Jesus Messiah. There is no other way. Jesus will give people who come to him eternal life. No one can get eternal life any other way. There is no magic “live forever” potion. It’s Jesus or death. This is the food that we need to consume.
John 6:41 G1111 [3were grumbling G3767 4then G3588 1The G* 2Jews] G4012 concerning G1473 him, G3754 because G2036 he said, G1473 I G1510.2.1 am G3588 the G740 bread, G3588 the one G2597 descending G1537 from out of G3588 the G3772 heaven.
42 G2532 And G3004 they said, G3756 [3not G3778 2this G1510.2.3 1is] G* Jesus G3588 the G5207 son G* of Joseph, G3739 of whom G1473 we G1492 know G3588 the G3962 father G2532 and G3588 the G3384 mother? G4459 How G3767 then G3004 says G3778 this one G3754 that, G1537 From out of G3588 the G3772 heaven G2597 I have descended?
43 G611 [2answered G3767 3then G3588 G* 1Jesus] G2532 and G2036 said G1473 to them, G3361 Do not G1111 grumble G3326 with G240 one another!
Isn’t it funny that Jesus is standing right there but the Jews grumbled to one another instead of asking Jesus what he meant? They knew his earthly family but they didn’t know his heavenly Father.
John 6:44 G3762 No one G1410 is able G2064 to come G4314 to G1473 me G1437 unless G3361 G3588 the G3962 father, G3588 the one G3992 having sent G1473 me, G1670 should draw G1473 him; G2532 and G1473 I G450 will raise him up G1473 G3588 in the G2078 last G2250 day.
Jesus has moved on from bread and keeps telling them about rising up in the last day.
John 6:45 G1510.2.3 It is G1125 written G1722 in G3588 the G4396 prophets, G2532 And G1510.8.6 they will be G3956 all G1318 instructed G3588 G2316 of God. G3956 Every one G3767 then G3588 G191 hearing G3844 from G3588 the G3962 father, G2532 and G3129 having learned, G2064 comes G4314 to G1473 me.
Isa 54:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
When is this? This is in the millennial kingdom. The Elohim will be doing the teaching, the Father, Son, or the Holy Spirit. Jesus says that everyone hearing from the Father and learning comes to Jesus. Why? Because Jesus is sent from the Father. The Father wants people to come to Jesus. Yet no one has seen the Father except Jesus who came from the Father.
John 6:46 G3756 Not G3754 that G3588 [3the G3962 4father G5100 1anyone G3708 2has seen], G1508 except G3588 the one G1510.6 being G3844 from G3588 G2316 God, G3778 this one G3708 has seen G3588 the G3962 father.
47 G281 Amen, G281 amen, G3004 I say G1473 to you, G3588 The one G4100 trusting G1519 in G1473 me G2192 has G2222 life G166 eternal.
Again Jesus reiterates that if people believe on Jesus they have eternal life. Jesus has said this several times but the people are focused on food. So Jesus gives them more instruction.
John 6:48 G1473 I G1510.2.1 am G3588 the G740 bread G3588 G2222 of life.
This is quite a big statement. He is probably wondering if they understand his words yet. Can you imagine him standing there saying ‘have faith and trust in me for eternal life because I am the bread of life’? This is huge, but It may be that Jesus was shaking the tree a bit. He may not have wanted the people hanging on who didn’t really believe. The ones who were looking for the magic words for the magically filled vending machine were not chasing him for the spiritual food but for the physical food. Jesus tells us that he will raise up those who the Father gives him who come to him four times.
John 6:49 G3588 G3962 Your fathers G1473 G2068 ate G3588 the G3131 manna G1722 in G3588 the G2048 wilderness, G2532 and G599 died.
50 G3778 This G1510.2.3 is G3588 the G740 bread, G3588 the one G1537 [2from G3588 3the G3772 4heaven G2597 1descending], G2443 that G5100 whoever G1537 [2of G1473 3it G2068 1should eat] G2532 even G3361 should not die. G599
51 G1473 I G1510.2.1 am G3588 the G740 [2bread G3588 G2198 1living], G3588 the one G1537 [2from G3588 3the G3772 4heaven G2597 1having descended]. G1437 If G5100 anyone G2068 shall eat G1537 from G3778 this G3588 G740 bread, G2198 he shall live G1519 into G3588 the G165 eon. G2532 [2also G3588 3the G740 4bread G1161 1But] G3739 which G1473 I G1325 shall give G3588 G4561 [2my flesh G1473 G1510.2.3 1is], G3739 which G1473 I G1325 shall give G5228 for G3588 the G3588 [2of the G2889 3world G2222 1life].
The comparison here is that the manna did not give them eternal life. Stop looking for food on the earth. Jesus is the bread that if eaten will give eternal life. Jesus is giving his life, his flesh crucified for the life of the world. Jesus is ransoming back the captives. Wherever the people believe on the earth they will be off-ransomed.
John 6:52 G3164 [4were quarreling G3767 1Then G4314 5with G240 6one another G3588 2the G* 3Jews], G3004 saying, G4459 How G1410 will this one be able G3778 G1473 to give us G1325 G3588 G4561 flesh G2068 to eat?
Again the people didn’t get it. Jesus wasn’t asking for them to barbecue him, he was saying to forget the physical food and to eat from me and you will live eternally.
John 6:53 G2036 [3said G3767 1Then G1473 4to them G3588 G* 2Jesus], G281 Amen, G281 amen, G3004 I say G1473 to you, G1437 Unless G3361 G2068 you should have eaten G3588 the G4561 flesh G3588 of the G5207 son G3588 G444 of man, G2532 and G4095 should have drunk G1473 of his G3588 G129 blood, G3756 you shall not have G2192 G2222 life G1722 in G1438 yourselves.
54 G3588 The one G5176 chewing G1473 of my G3588 G4561 flesh, G2532 and G4095 drinking G1473 of my G3588 G129 blood, G2192 has G2222 life G166 eternal, G2532 and G1473 I G450 will raise him up G1473 G3588 in the G2078 last G2250 day.
How many times has Jesus said this? He will raise up people and give them eternal life. But the point is, we have to believe on him, have faith in him, trust in him. We have to dig into Jesus.
John 6:55 G3588 G1063 For G4561 my flesh G1473 G230 truly G1510.2.3 is G1035 solid food, G2532 and G3588 G129 my blood G1473 G230 truly G1510.2.3 is G4213 drink.
56 G3588 The one G5176 chewing G1473 of my G3588 G4561 flesh, G2532 and G4095 drinking G1473 of my G3588 G129 blood, G1722 [2in G1473 3me G3306 1abides], G2504 and I G1722 in G1473 him.
57 G2531 As G649 [4sent G1473 5me G3588 1the G2198 2living G3962 3father], G2504 I also G2198 live G1223 on account of G3588 the G3962 father; G2532 and G3588 the one G5176 chewing G1473 me, G2548 that one G2198 shall live G1223 through G1473 me.
58 G3778 This G1510.2.3 is G3588 the G740 bread G3588 G1537 [2from out of G3588 3the G3772 4heaven G2597 1having descended]. G3756 Not G2531 as G2068 [3ate G3588 G3962 2fathers G1473 1your] G3588 the G3131 manna G2532 and G599 died; G3588 the one G5176 chewing G3778 this G3588 G740 bread G2198 shall live G1519 into G3588 the G165 eon
Dine on Jesus. Jesus is saying that when we eat, food nourishes us. It has a lasting effect not just to subside hunger but to provide nutrition. Jesus provides nutrition. Spiritual nutrition, which in turn provides physical strength. Jesus is not saying that we will never have to eat again, he is saying that we do not have to worry about food because as the Elohim provides for the sparrow he will provide for us. We simply have to trust and believe. We come to Jesus Messiah.
John 6:59 G3778 These things G2036 he said G1722 in G4864 the synagogue G1321 teaching G1722 in G* Capernaum.
60 G4183 Many G3767 then G191 having heard G1537 from out of G3588 G3101 his disciples G1473 G2036 said, G4642 [3is hard G1510.2.3 G3778 1this G3588 G3056 2word], G5100 who G1410 is able G1473 to hear it? G191
The conversation that started at the shores of the lake near Capernaum ended up in the synagogue at Capernaum. He taught the people as he was walking and after he went inside the synagogue. Remember, the people followed Jesus to Capernaum to see if they could get food forever, Jesus wanted to give them eternal life. This is why the conversation is repeated.
John 6:61 G1492 [3knowing G1161 1And G3588 G* 2Jesus] G1722 in G1438 himself G3754 that G1111 [2grumbled G4012 3concerning G3778 4this G3588 G3101 1his disciples], G1473 G2036 said G1473 to them, G3778 This G1473 causes you to stumble? G4624
62 G1437 What then if G3767 G2334 you should view G3588 the G5207 son G3588 G444 of man G305 ascending G3699 where G1510.7.3 he was G3588 G4387 formerly?
Wow, what if? They did see the Son of Man ascending after he died and was resurrected on the third day. Jesus challenged them. They saw more miracles than simply multiplying food. This is a larger group of disciples, not just the twelve. Yet many of them still followed Jesus.
Jesus told the four and the twelve what would happen.
Mat 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
Mat 20:18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
Mat 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
John 6:63 G3588 The G4151 spirit G1510.2.3 is G3588 the one G2227 restoring to life, G3588 the G4561 flesh G3756 does not G5623 benefit G3762 anyone; G3588 the G4487 sayings G3739 which G1473 I G2980 speak G1473 to you -- G4151 it is spirit, G1510.2.3 G2532 and G2222 it is life. G1510.2.3
“The Spirit is the making alive, the flesh not help no one, the rhēma that I speak you Spirit is and life is”
This is the secret inside knowledge that the disciples received after the larger crowds didn’t understand. It is the Spirit that makes alive. Don’t worry about the flesh, life is not about the flesh. The rhēma, the narration Jesus gives, is Spirit and life. Jesus being our bread is Spirit and life. If we eat and drink of him we will have eternal life.
John 6:64 G235 But G1510.2.6 there are G1537 of G1473 you G5100 ones G3739 who G3756 do not G4100 believe. G1492 [3knew G1063 1For G1537 4from G746 5 the beginning G3588 G* 2Jesus] G5100 who G1510.2.6 are G3588 the ones G3756 not G4100 believing, G2532 and G5100 who G1510.2.3 it is G3588 that G3860 shall be delivering him up. G1473
Even among the disciples and the inner twelve there were some who did not quite believe on Jesus. They believed that he was the Messiah, but thought he would take the kingdom from Rome and give it back to Israel. They were unsure because he wasn’t building an army and he wasn’t trying to stop the Romans. However he did do the appointed miracles of opening blind eyes and deaf ears. One would betray him hoping that that would start the uprising to defeat Roman rule. While Jesus will rule from Jerusalem their timing is off. They didn’t understand the need for Jesus to die first and come back later. They didn’t understand that Jesus was also redeeming the righteous redeemed who were in Abraham’s Bay and waiting for him to take them to Paradise.
John 6:65 G2532 And G3004 he said, G1223 On account of G3778 this G2046 I have said G1473 to you, G3754 that G3762 no one G1410 is able G2064 to come G4314 to G1473 me, G1437 unless G3361 G1510.3 it should be G1325 given G1473 to him G1537 from G3588 G3962 my father. G1473
66 G1537 Because G3778 of this, G4183 many G565 [2departed G3588 G3101 1of his disciples] G1473 G1519 to the rear, G3588 G3694 G2532 and G3765 no longer G3326 [2with G1473 3him G4043 1walked].
Many of the disciples departed into the rear or behind, meaning they went back from where they were from and didn’t walk with him. They may have still believed he was the Messiah, but they didn’t physically follow him any longer. These were disciples that followed Jesus and the twelve, but the idea that Jesus was the bread of life, that they should eat and drink him, so that he would raise them up and give them eternal life, was hard to believe. Up to this time they saw miracles and believed on him, but now he is challenging their faith to further believe that he came down from heaven and would ascend again and that he could raise them up and give everlasting life. This is pushing faith deeper than miracles. They didn’t understand the Father giving Jesus people to save.
John 6:67 G2036 [3said G3767 1Then G3588 G* 2Jesus] G3588 to the G1427 twelve, G3361 Do G2532 you also G1473 G2309 want G5217 to go away?
Jesus challenges the faith of the twelve. This was a hard thing to understand for anyone, but we all assume that the twelve were completely sold out for Jesus and they fully understood him. They weren’t and didn’t. While they followed him they didn’t quite understand everything about him. For example, he tells them repeatedly that he will die and rise up, but they struggled with that when it happened. There is a whole spiritual dimension that they were not understanding but they were trying. Peter denies Jesus to save himself and Thomas doesn’t believe that he rose up and is visiting with them in his resurrected body. We can imagine those three days were a rollercoaster for the twelve. Yet Jesus says simply that he has the power to raise people up, that he is the bread of life, and if we come to him and eat and drink he will give us eternal life.
John 6:68 G611 [4answered G3767 1Then G1473 5to him G* 2Simon G* 3Peter], G2962 O Lord, G4314 to G5100 whom G565 shall we go forth? G4487 [2 the words G2222 3of life G166 4eternal G2192 1You have].
69 G2532 And G1473 we G4100 have believed G2532 and G1097 have known G3754 that G1473 you G1510.2.2 are G3588 the G5547 Christ, G3588 the G5207 son G3588 of the G2316 living God. G3588 G2198
70 G611 [2responded G1473 3to them G3588 G* 1Jesus], G3756 Did I not G1473 G1473 [2you G3588 3the G1427 4twelve G1586 1choose], G2532 and G1537 [2of G1473 3you G1520 1one G1228 5a devil G1510.2.3 4is]?
71 G3004 But he spoke G1161 G3588 G* of Judas G* son of Simon G* Iscariot; G3778 for this one G1063 G3195 was about G1473 to deliver him up, G3860 G1520 being one G1510.6 G1537 of G3588 the G1427 twelve.
Peter says that they are following Jesus because he is the Son of the Living God and he has the words of life. For them the miracle of the food was part of their experience of their discipleship. The larger group of disciples and the crowds liked the miracles, but they weren’t sure he was the Son of the Living God. They did want the food, not the heavenly spiritual food, but the physical food. If they could resolve that struggle in their lives they could be happy. We all would be happy if we had endless food. But remember what happened in the wilderness? The exodus generation got cranky just eating manna; they wanted quail too.
Jesus chose the twelve and the Father gives him others that he will raise up. If we come to him he will not cast us out. Yet the biggest point we should learn to digest is verse 63.
“The Spirit is the making alive, the flesh not help no one, the rhēma that I speak you Spirit is and life is”
The rhēma is Spirit and life. The Spirit is making alive. The words Jesus spoke were true words. He was able to accomplish what no one else had. He ascended and descended.
Jesus came down from heaven, living among us as nourishment, bread and water that would give us eternal life. The words he gives us are Spirit and life. Jesus repeated what he said about giving people eternal life several times. He wants us to live with him forever. He is the only way. If we come to him he will not cast us out. But Jesus was challenging people’s faith. Taking them out of the comfort zone of their beliefs. He challenged them to believe bigger. To go deeper with him. He told them to eat his flesh and drink his blood. He spoke so that many would re-evaluate their commitment to him. It was intentional to upset their faith because in that challenge they could grow beyond fast food. Jesus didn’t mind losing followers because in losing followers he was challenging the people who continued to follow to go deeper in Him.
