Ever tried to solve a mystery where the clues led you in all sorts of directions? In John 6:25-40, Yeshua reveals that He is the answer to the ultimate mystery of life. When we seek Him with a light heart, we discover that He is the bread of life, nourishing our souls. Just like solving a puzzle with a satisfying conclusion, following Yeshua finishes the puzzle of our purpose with His love and grace!

²² The next day, the crowd which had stayed on the other side of the lake noticed that there had been only one boat there, and that Yeshua had not entered the boat with his talmidim, but that the talmidim had been alone when they sailed off. ²³ Then other boats, from Tiberias, came ashore near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had made the b’rakhah. ²⁴ Accordingly, when the crowd saw that neither Yeshua nor his talmidim were there, they themselves boarded the boats and made for K’far-Nachum in search of Yeshua. ²⁵ When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

Tiberias was and is the chief city on the western side of the lake. Whereas K’far-Nachum was located on the northwestern edge of the lake, Tiberias is several miles to the south.

²⁶ Yeshua answered, “Yes, indeed! I tell you, you’re not looking for me because you saw miraculous signs, but because you ate the bread and had all you wanted!

Miraculous signs should awaken consciousness of God, but these people are conscious only of their own physical needs.

²⁷ Don’t work for the food which passes away but for the food that stays on into eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For this is the one on whom God the Father has put his seal.”

The food that passes away and the food that stays on into eternal life are opposites and constitute the theme of Yeshua’s remarks.

²⁸ So they said to Him, “What should we do in order to perform the works of God?” ²⁹ Yeshua answered, “Here’s what the work of God is: to trust in the one He sent!”

What should we do in order to perform the works of God? The people are probably not asking how to do miracles but how to please God. Nevertheless, Yeshua’s answer surprises them.

³⁰ They said to Him, “Nu (frequently translates as “so”) what miracle will You do for us, so that we may see it and trust You? What work can You perform? ³¹ Our fathers ate man (manna) in the desert – as it says in the Tanakh, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat’. ³² Yeshua said to them, “Yes, indeed! I tell you it wasn’t Moshe who gave you the bread from heaven. But my Father is giving you the genuine bread from heaven;

What miracle will you do? A strange question for people who have just seen Him do one (vv. 10–14). But they seem set on diminishing its importance by presenting one equally great or greater: Our fathers ate manna in the desert; see also Exodus 16:4, 15; Numbers 11:8; Psalm 105:40. Yeshua corrects His questioners’ exegesis of the Tanakh – they think “He” refers to Moshe, but Yeshua says its antecedent is my Father, God.

³³ for God’s bread is the one who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.” ³⁴ They said to Him, “Sir, give us this bread from now on.” ³⁵ Yeshua answered, “I am the bread which is life! Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever trusts in me will never be thirsty. ³⁶ I told you that you have seen but still don’t trust. ³⁷ Everyone the Father gives Me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will certainly not turn away.

You have seen but still don’t trust. For this refusal to trust Yeshua, their sin is all the greater; compare 15:24, also 20:29. Everyone the Father gives me will come to Me … whoever comes to me I will certainly not turn away. This is as forthright a statement of the paradox of predestination and free will as can be found. The Father has given certain people to Yeshua. How do I find out if I am one of them? By coming to Yeshua, I have free will and can choose to come, and I have Yeshua’s Word that He will not turn me away. Some claim that Brit Hadashah faith is exclusivist, but here we see that Yeshua is available universally (see also Romans 10:11–13).

³⁸ For I have come down from heaven to do not My own will but the will of the One who sent Me. ³⁹ And this is the will of the One who sent Me: that I should not lose any of all those He has given Me but should raise them up on the Last Day. ⁴⁰ Yes, this is the will of My Father: that all who see the Son and trust in Him should have eternal life, and that I should raise them up on the Last Day.”

Yeshua is the essential food for the soul. Life, nourishment, and true satisfaction are found in Him alone. The Believer’s security is founded on the Son’s faithfulness in doing the Father’s will. On Yeshua’s promise of eternal life. [1]

In high-pressure work situations, it’s common to feel isolated and overwhelmed. Reflect on John 6:25-40 as you remember that Yeshua invites us to find our sense of purpose and belonging in Him. When stress mounts, take a lunch break to read Scripture and pray, inviting Him into your workplace challenges. Perhaps consider starting a ‘spirit-led’ lunch group where co-workers can share their faith journeys and encourage one another amid work pressures. I did both in my career, working for local governments.

In our next post, we will continue to explore the Gospel of Yochanan.

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[1] Yochanan 6:25–40.