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Sermon Introduction

The crowd looked for a sign even though there were signs. They experienced the multiplication of the food and, previously, the healing of two people. The crowd referred to the manna in the wilderness, which the Israelites ate for forty years. All they had to do was collect the free meal every morning. However, Jesus claimed that He is the true bread from heaven, and those who partake in it will never be hungry again. The people asked for this bread that will never make them hungry again. But they would not believe when He explained that He was the true bread from heaven. Then Jesus explained those who believe in Him believe because of the Father (John 6:36-37).

Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

John 6:41-51

41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”. 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh”.

Notes

The crowd looked for a sign even though there were signs. They experienced the multiplication of the food and, previously, the healing of two people. The crowd referred to the manna in the wilderness, which the Israelites ate for forty years. All they had to do was collect the free meal every morning. However, Jesus claimed that He is the true bread from heaven, and those who partake in it will never be hungry again. The people asked for this bread that will never make them hungry again. But they would not believe when He explained that He was the true bread from heaven. Then Jesus explained those who believe in Him believe because of the Father (John 6:36-37).

1. Jews Grumble

   The Jews grumbled because they could not believe that Jesus came down from heaven. Some of them know Him and His earthly father. They could not make the connection of someone coming from heaven to be birthed on earth.

   
   41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” (John 6:41-42).
   
   

2. Unless the Father

   Jesus responded to the crowd by instructing them not to grumble among themselves because they would not understand unless the Father drew them. It is the Father who brings people to Christ, and it is the Father who teaches them.
   
   43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father (John 6:43-46).
   
   

3. Living Forever

   Those who believe in Jesus, meaning to believe in who He is, who sent Him, and His death and resurrection, have eternal life. Jesus contrasted Himself to the manna in the wilderness. The people in the wilderness still died, but those who would eat the bread from heaven will live forever.

   
   47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh” (John 6:47-51).

Application

1. Understand Why People Reject Him

   People have different reasons why they reject the gospel. It is good to understand them in order so we may dispel their unbelief intelligently. However, the more straightforward explanation of Christ is that the Father has not drawn them to Christ.

2. Know the Father’s Role

   The author mentioned that those who believe are the Father’s gift to the Son. In a similar light, it is also true that the one who initiates coming to Christ is the Father. Let us not put this truth aside but acknowledge the Father’s work in eternal life.

3. Proclaim the Difference

   When the people mentioned the manna in the wilderness, Jesus made a clear contrast. Manna cannot give eternal life, but Christ can. In the same way, other beliefs cannot give eternal life—only those who believe in Jesus and His work.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Why did the Jews grumble among themselves?

2. What is the Father’s role in eternal life?

3. How did Jesus differentiate Himself from the manna in the OT?