The Bread of Life
Sermon August 4, 2024 Text: John 6:24-35 Title: The Bread of Life
Pastor Fred Okello
Brothers and sisters. Today, we will consider a passage from the Gospel of John, specifically John 6:24-35. This scripture follows the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 and discusses the crowd's reaction and expectations. In this passage, Jesus challenges us to examine our motivations and expectations in our relationship with Him. Let us open our hearts to receive His lessons for us today.
Scripture Reading: John 6: 24-35 NIV
Crowd's Misguided Pursuit. After witnessing the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, the crowd zealously sought Jesus. However, their pursuit was motivated by a desire for more physical bread rather than a greater understanding of who Jesus was. Jesus responds to their misguided motives by pointing out that they sought Him for temporary satisfaction rather than eternal sustenance. In our own lives, we must consider why we seek Jesus. Are we motivated by the desire for miracles, blessings, and quick solutions to our problems? While Jesus is concerned about our physical needs, He desires to offer us something more significant—himself.
The Risks of Expecting Constant Miracles! The crowd's expectation of ongoing miracles reveals a deeper issue: a superficial faith founded on signs and wonders. Despite having just witnessed the miracle of the loaves and fishes, they asked Jesus for another sign that they could believe in Him. This request demonstrates the dangers of a faith that relies on miracles for sustenance. Miracles are undoubtedly mighty and faith-affirming, but they do not form the basis of our relationship with God. When we rely entirely on miracles, our faith becomes conditional and shallow. It is critical to recognize that Jesus offers us something far more significant than physical miracles: eternal life and a relationship with Him.
Seeking Eternal Bread. Jesus redirects the crowd's attention away from physical bread and toward the "food that endures to eternal life." He refers to Himself as the "bread of life," the source of true and eternal nourishment. Jesus emphasizes the importance of a relationship based on faith and trust rather than just witnessing signs and wonders. In our spiritual journey, we must prioritize seeking Jesus for who He is over what He can do for us. True faith is based on a deep, personal relationship with Him, in which we trust Him even when miracles do not occur.
When the crowd asks what they must do to perform God's works, Jesus responds profoundly: "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." Jesus' response emphasizes that the essence of our relationship with God is not about performing miracles or constantly looking for signs but about putting our trust in Jesus. Belief in Jesus is more than just acknowledgment; it is an active faith that shapes our lives. It entails placing our trust in Him, following His teachings, and relying on His guidance on a daily basis. This kind of faith carries us far beyond the fleeting satisfaction of miracles.
In my first month here, I have been deeply moved by seeing faith in action among this body of Christ. Your dedication to various committees and community initiatives, visits to the homebound, efforts to provide scholarships for our youth, and prayers for our members and the world all exemplify the spirit of Christ. These acts of love and service demonstrate our faith and trust in Jesus, the bread of life. Your dedication to prayer has particularly moved me. Last Friday, as I walked back to the pews and saw the prayer requests on the wall, I felt compelled to kneel and earnestly pray! This experience reminded me of the power and significance of coming together in reflection and prayer. To maintain this spirit, I invite our laities, and anyone interested to join me every Tuesday for a 30-minute reflection on the Word and prayer. Let us unite to seek eternal bread, deepen our faith, and encourage one another on our spiritual journeys.
There is a precious group among us that we deeply care about and must not overlook: our children who are not present at church today. Many of us were fortunate to be introduced to Jesus early. However, today's children are missing out not by choice but because their young parents are not taking them to church. We are responsible for reaching out to these young parents with God's Word. This concern has laid heavy on my mind this week. We must ask God for guidance on how to reach out to young parents. Many of us are related to young parents. I encourage you to use those connections to invite them and their children to experience the love and truth of Jesus. If young parents do not bring their children to Jesus today, we risk losing church tomorrow. Let us be proactive in developing the next generation's faith so that they, too, can receive the bread of life.
John 6:24-35 encourages us to examine our motives for seeking Jesus and deepen our faith beyond the expectation of constant miracles. Jesus, the bread of life, provides eternal sustenance beyond our immediate needs and desires. As we grow in our relationship with Him, let us focus on the eternal nourishment He provides and put our complete trust in Him.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the bread of life. Help us to seek Him not for temporary miracles but for the eternal life and sustenance that He provides. As we break the bread today, strengthen our faith to trust in Him and to build a deep, personal relationship with Him. Guide us as we gather in prayer and reflection, seeking Your presence and wisdom. Inspire us to reach out to young parents so their children can learn about and love You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.