One of the things I’ve always loved about Jesus is how He rarely answered a question in the way people expected. Throughout the Gospels, we see people coming to Him wanting a list of do’s and don’ts or a specific answer, and Jesus rarely delivered. And yet, although His answer may not be what we would expect, it is more than we could ever hope for.
And that’s what we see happening at the end of John 6.
In this chapter, Jesus fed the 5,000 and walked on water, and people were drawn to His signs and miracles. After healing the sick and feeding the hungry, Jesus retreated from the crowds, but they followed Him. Instead of turning them away, I love that Jesus met them exactly where they were.
In awe and curious about the miracles Jesus performed, the people asked, “What must we do to accomplish the deeds God requires?”
It’s a valid question. Think of how often you and I have asked ourselves that question. “What must we do to follow the will of God? What does it look like to live like Jesus? What exactly do I need to do to be saved?” I don’t know about you, but those aren’t questions that I asked only when I first became a believer. They’re questions that I’ve asked myself throughout my faith journey.
But Jesus, seeing beyond their questions, didn’t give them a list of things to do. He didn’t tell them how to behave. He told them Who to believe.
So what must we do to accomplish the deeds God requires?
Jesus said, “This is the deed God requires—to believe in the one whom he sent…my Father is giving you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world…I am the bread of life. The one who comes to me will never go hungry, and the one who believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:29–35).
Did you catch that? After feeding the 5,000 and meeting their physical needs, Jesus said that He is the Bread of Life. Just like God provided manna from heaven for the Israelites while they were in the wilderness, the Father provided His son, the Bread of Life for all humanity.
Feeding 5,000 was miraculous because it met the needs of many, but it was also so much more than that. The miracle was a sign that Jesus was the Son of God, the promised Bread of Life, and whoever believes in Him will have access to eternal life and never go hungry again.
This is the Gospel. This is Good News for us all.
We come to God asking Him, “What do I need to do to be saved? What do you require of me?” And instead of a list of do’s and don’ts, He says, “Believe in me. Believe in the Bread of Life that will quench your hunger in a way you’ve never experienced.”
Sisters, rather than focusing on a list of things you can do for God, spend some time today reflecting on what He’s done for you. Believe and proclaim the truth that Christ came to this world and that He performed many miracles so that you and I could be called sons and daughters of Christ. He is the Bread of Life who has come so that you and I would never go hungry again.
May this good news comfort and encourage you in whatever season God has you in.
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