“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger again” (JOHN 6:35).
1. How important was bread in biblical times?
It was a staple food in biblical times. It was so important that the Bible sometimes refers to bread as it does to food in general. And on this occasion we will examine one of the two stories that have to do with miracles performed by Jesus and we will try to obtain valuable lessons for our days.
2. On what occasion did thousands of people need food?
Jesus had gone with his disciples across the Sea of Galilee so he could rest with them. Suddenly they were surrounded by thousands of people who came to see Jesus. He spent time telling them about the kingdom and healing the sick. Since it was late they were wondering how to feed everyone, it is possible that some had some provisions but most did not.
MIRACULOUSLY GAVE THEM BREAD
3. How did Jesus react when he saw the people's need? (See also cover image.)
The disciples had recommended that he send these people to get food elsewhere, but Jesus said it was not necessary. Andrés said to him: “Here is a boy who has five barley loaves and two little fish. But what is that for so many people? But that was insignificant for the approximately 15,000 people there.
ILLUSTRATION
Jesus gives bread and fish to his disciples. The disciples distribute the food among a crowd of men, women and children. Jesus met the spiritual and physical needs of the people. (See paragraph 3).
4. What lessons do we learn from John 6:11-13? (See also images).
To attend to their needs well, he asked them to sit in groups. Then Jesus prayed to his Father, thanking him for the provision he was making by giving food. This reminds us that we should do the same before eating. By asking for leftovers to be collected, it teaches us that we must make good use of our resources.
ILLUSTRATION
Images of brothers and sisters praying before eating: 1. A young Witness in the school cafeteria with classmates chatting behind her. 2. A brother who works in construction, on his midday break with his colleagues by his side. 3. A couple and their daughter in the dining room of their house. Ask yourself, “Do I follow Jesus' example and pray before I eat?” (See paragraph 4).
5. How did the people react to the miracles they saw that day, but what did Jesus do?
They were impressed and related to what Moses had said, that a special prophet appointed by God would appear. They thought he would be an excellent ruler who would provide everything necessary for that nation, that's why they wanted to pressure him and make him king. Seeing this, Jesus decided to retreat to the mountain.
6. How can we copy Jesus' example? (See also the image).
It is possible that they pressure us to participate in political affairs, voting for a candidate or supporting in some way whoever is believed to be able to improve the situation in each place. We want to maintain Jesus' attitude of loyally supporting the Kingdom of God, bearing witness to it and praying for it to come.
ILLUSTRATION
Pontius Pilate interrogates Jesus, who is guarded by two Roman soldiers. Jesus set an example for his disciples by not intervening in the political affairs of either the Jews or the Romans. (See paragraph 6).
“THE MEANING OF THE MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES”
7. What other miracle did Jesus perform, and how did the apostles react? (John 6:16-20).
After going to the mountain to avoid being made king, he told the apostles to return to Capernaum. During the trip a strong storm broke out, Jesus walked on the water towards them and also told Peter to do so. As we got into the boat the wind calmed down. Mark added as a detail: “they had not grasped the meaning of the miracle of the loaves, and their hearts remained closed, unable to understand.”
8, 9. Why did the crowd go looking for Jesus? (John 6:26, 27).
The next day they looked for Jesus, they found out where he was and they came to him. But Jesus made clear his reason for seeking him. He told them: “they ate the loaves until they were satisfied” with “food that spoils.” Therefore his true motive was to satisfy his physical needs.
10. What “work of God” did people have to do to obtain eternal life?
They had to demonstrate faith to obtain eternal life. This faith consisted of recognizing Jesus as the representative of God and not only seeing him as someone who could provide them with physical food.
11. How did the Jews demonstrate that they still planned to satisfy themselves with literal bread? (Psalm 78:24, 25).
They asked him: “And what miracle are you going to do so that we will see it and believe you” and they remembered the miracle of the manna when they were in the desert. With those words they showed that they were still thinking about literal bread. That is why they did not understand when Jesus spoke of the “true bread from heaven.”
OUR MAIN INTEREST
12. How did Jesus make clear what is most important?
In the Gospel of John 6 Jesus made it clear that the main concern should be spiritual needs. And in the Sermon on the Mount he said it very clearly. That is why we must ask ourselves: “Does my way of living demonstrate that I have been more interested in my spiritual needs than in my physical desires?”
13. a) Why is it not wrong for us to enjoy food?
Because we were encouraged to order food to enjoy it. And the Bible indicates that eating and drinking can bring joy from God.
13. b) What warning should we take very seriously? (1 Corinthians 10:6, 7, 11).
The Israelites turned Jehovah's miraculous provisions into harmful things by eating and drinking and having a good time. This warning was given by Paul shortly before the end of the Jewish systems. Today we want to heed the advice because we are also close to the end of this system.
14. What does the Bible say about food in the new world?
The Bible mentions that in the new world there will be good food on Earth. It will be food of excellent quality, abundant and even more so on the mountain peaks.
15. What will those who are resurrected have to learn? (John 6:35).
It is possible that some who ate the bread of the miracle that Jesus did will be resurrected and have to learn the meaning of the words: “I am the bread of life. “He who comes to me will never hunger again.” They will have to put their faith in the sacrifice of Jesus and together with the children who are born in the new world they will have to learn the spiritual education program that will be put into practice.
16. What will we analyze in the next article?
We will continue to analyze chapter 6 of the Gospel of John and remember what Jesus said about eternal life and how it applies to us in this time.
HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?
What do we learn from what Jesus did before commanding the bread and fish to be distributed to the crowd?
First he reminds us that to be grateful we must pray to Jehovah before meals.
What example did Jesus leave us when they wanted to make him king?
Upon being eyewitnesses of this miracle, they wanted to make Jesus king and he withdrew from that place, implying that he was not going to participate in activities of this world, giving us the example of not participating in political affairs.
How can we apply the advice of 1 Corinthians 10:6, 7, 11?
In this end time we want to focus on spiritual matters and not allow food or drink to replace or affect our worship of Jehovah.
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