Exploring John - Real Food, Real Drink, Real LIFE

John 6:25-58

Do you remember the “Urban Cowboy” country and western song from 1980, “Lookin’ for Love,” sung by Johnny Lee? 

“I was lookin' for love in all the wrong places

Lookin' for love in too many faces

Searchin' her eyes, lookin' for traces of what I'm dreamin' of….

“I was alone then, no love in sight

I did everything I could to get me through the night

Don't know where it started or where it might end

I'd turn to a stranger just like a friend”

Even if unfamiliar to you, the sentiment is easily understood. And like the vocals of this song, we too often are ‘looking for life in all the wrong places.’

As we continue exploring John’s Gospel to see the wonder and beauty of Jesus Christ, we come to a delightful passage in which Jesus makes the claim that he is the ‘staff of life’, essential life, real life.

And yet, how often do we too quickly settle for tasting ‘life’ that is not ultimately satisfying?

This pivotal declaration is the first of seven "I Am" statements in the Gospel of John, echoing God's self-disclosure found in Exodus 3:14: "I AM WHO I AM." Jesus’ mission in humanity's connection to the living God shines brightly in these words: "I am the bread of life."

This statement encapsulates the crux of Jesus's mission – He is the answer to the deepest yearnings of the human heart. Bread, for Jesus's audience, symbolized sustenance, the very essence of life itself. It remains a vital nourishment for millions across the globe, and even those with gluten-free diets strive to make breads that mirror actual bread, which shows just how desirable and important it is in our diet. Such a fact emphasizes the universal significance of Jesus's role as the Bread of Life. Be it a biscuit at a late-night diner or a loaf at a Michelin Star restaurant, bread is for everyone, and Jesus is for the world.

Would you join us this coming Lord’s Day as we look at Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John chapter 6? Maybe you could bring a friend with you. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

For LIFE,

Pastor Wayne