A Meal Ticket

How many times have you been to a restaurant this week? How many times have you been to church this week?

How many times did you eat yesterday? How many times did you pray or read your Bible yesterday?

John 6:25-36 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.

John 6:25-36 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?”

John 6:25-36 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

John 6:25-36 Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

John 6:25-36 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.

Free Food The crowd should not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures for eternal life. The crowd is looking to place their lunch order. But Jesus has decided to shut down the, “All you can eat,” buffet.

A New Buffet This closed buffet opens a heavenly buffet. It allows for the bread from heaven. Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.”

“Very Truly” Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing...” The Son needs the Father. “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life...” Anyone who hears & believes has eternal life.

A Combo Meal John 6:47-48 combines these ideas with our scripture. “ Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.” The new meal combines the crowd’s belief with receiving the enduring bread.

Fans Fade Believing isn’t easy, it’s a challenge. “ Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.” (vs. 6:66) The fans following the fad fade. The disciples following Jesus strengthen their commitement.

Our Commitment Is it Jesus you want, or are you only interested in what he can do for you?