John 6:25-40


"When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, 'Rabbi, when did you come here?' Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.' Then they said to him, 'What must we do, to be doing the works of God?' Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.' So they said to him, 'Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat."' Jesus then said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' They said to him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.' Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.'" (John 6:25-40 ESV)


The Bread of Life

In this passage, Jesus identifies Himself as "the bread of life," offering something far greater than the temporary satisfaction of physical hunger. While the crowds were seeking Him after witnessing the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, they were focused on physical provision rather than the spiritual nourishment that Christ alone provides. Jesus redirects their attention to the "food that endures to eternal life," which only He can give because He was sent by the Father.

This metaphor of Jesus as the "bread of life" points to His role as the sustainer of our souls. Just as bread sustains the body, Christ sustains and gives life to our spirits. The hunger and thirst that Jesus promises to satisfy is a spiritual one—only through a relationship with Him can our deepest longings be fulfilled. This is why He emphasizes that "whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." Jesus offers a life of spiritual abundance and eternal satisfaction, rooted in the grace and provision of God.

Scriptures to Study:

Isaiah 55:1-3, John 4:13-14, John 7:37-38, Psalm 107:9


The Call to Believe

When the crowd asks Jesus what they must do to perform the works of God, His response is simple yet profound: "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent" (v. 29). Jesus points out that the work of salvation is not about human effort or merit but about faith—trusting in Him as the One sent by God. This belief is not just intellectual assent but a total reliance on Jesus for life, salvation, and eternal hope.

The crowd's demand for a sign, referencing the manna in the wilderness, reveals their misunderstanding of who Jesus is and what He offers. They wanted physical proof and provision, much like their ancestors. However, Jesus redirects their focus to a greater reality: the true "bread from heaven" is not the manna that temporarily satisfied Israel's physical needs, but Christ Himself, who satisfies the soul and gives eternal life. Faith in Jesus is not dependent on signs and wonders but on recognizing Him as the ultimate provision of God for humanity's spiritual hunger.

Scriptures to Study:

Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 11:6, John 3:16


Security in Christ

Jesus’ promise of security is remarkable: "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out" (v. 37). This statement offers profound assurance to every believer. Once we come to Christ in faith, we are secure in His hands. Jesus makes it clear that He will not reject anyone who genuinely comes to Him, because it is the Father’s will that He save and keep those who believe in Him.

This security is further underscored by Jesus’ statement that He will "raise [them] up on the last day" (v. 39-40). This points to the final resurrection, where all who trust in Christ will be raised to eternal life. Our salvation is not dependent on our own strength, but on the faithfulness of Christ, who perfectly fulfills the will of the Father. The Holy Spirit, working within us, empowers our faith and seals our salvation, guaranteeing that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:38-39).

Scriptures to Study:

John 10:28-29, Philippians 1:6, 1 Peter 1:3-5, Romans 8:38-39


Summary of Key Points


Life Application Questions