The True Bread (John 6:1-24)

I love food.  My mother encouraged me to start eating at a very early age.  One of the saddest aspects of returning to Maryland was the absence of Texan food options.  Tex-mex.  Barbecue.  And these were only the regional favorites.

Can a meal ever be more than just a meal?  We often associate particular meals with different events or even family traditions.  Though not a meal per se, one of the most common traditions for Western culture is serving cake at weddings and birthdays.

So in a way, a meal can tell a story.  Think about it: consider the following two “stories” below.  What does each one tell you?

  • Last night I ate cake.
  • Last night I ate cake with candles on it.

The first “story” tells you very little.  But the second one surely conjured up a whole host of potential images: party hats, brightly wrapped gifts—if you have kids, maybe even a few rounds of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey.   The point is clear: add a few minor details, and you’ve done more than simply serve a meal.  You’ve told a story.  That’s what Jesus does in John 6:


Here is our first clue: the Passover was approaching.  John’s mentioned the Passover before.  The Jews regarded the Passover as one of their most significant Holy days.  What did it mean?  The Passover celebrated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.  They had been enslaved for 450 years before God sent Moses to free them.  On the night of their escape, God killed the firstborn sons in all of Egypt.  The sons of Israel would be spared only by marking their homes with the blood of a lamb—God would literally “pass over” their home.  God delivered Israel by parting the waters of the Red Sea, and sustained His people by providing them bread in the wilderness.  A lamb.  A crossing of the sea.  A provision of bread.  These elements (and others) became as much a part of Israel’s story as the candles on a birthday cake.  These elements reminded Israel that she was God’s chosen people, and He would relentlessly fight for her no matter the cost.


The problem is clearly identified.  Jesus had attracted followers, but what could He do to sustain them?  Bread was a staple for the first century world, but barley loaves were consumed only by the lower class.  What could five loaves possibly do?  The disciples remained committed to earthly, human solutions.  God had other plans:


The people were amazed.  Jesus had offered a miraculous provision of bread.  The basketfuls of leftovers reveal just how extraordinary the whole scene is.  But Jesus is cautious.  He’s not interested in having people follow Him just for the thrill of seeing miracles in action.  So He retreats with His disciples.



Do you see some familiar elements to this story?  A provision of bread.  A crossing of the water.  The sequence may not perfectly match, but Jesus seems to be retelling the story of the Passover.  He is introducing a new exodus—not merely from political captivity but from the entrapment of sin itself.  Jesus is therefore the true bread—God’s true sustenance in our spiritual journey.

Do you feel trapped in the story you’re in now?  Maybe you feel trapped by your circumstances, your pains, your doubts, your struggles.  Trapped financially, trapped relationally, maybe even trapped by some physical affliction.  Jesus wants to rewrite your story.  Jesus wants to offer you a taste of life in His kingdom.