The Bread of Life

How do we receive everlasting life? How is Jesus the bread of life?

John 6:27… Work, not for the food that perishes, but for the food that remains for life everlasting, which the Son of man will give you; for upon this one the Father, even God, has put his seal of approval.

The food that gives everlasting life is the word of God. Jesus Christ came bringing God’s word to the people, and his words are truth. Matthew 4:4

God had given a sign of his approval upon Jesus because of what he was teaching was the truth. All the people had to do was exercise faith in the words of Christ Jesus and obey him as the chief agent of life. Acts 5:31, Hebrews 2:10

John 6:35… I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.

Over and over again Jesus makes the point that he is the source and provider of our life.

John 6:51… I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone who will eat of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.

And that’s the point that Jesus Christ was making! He represented the authority of God. He was the living bread that would sustain them.

Matthew 4:4… He answered, “It is written Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

The words that Jesus Christ spoke whereas if the father himself were speaking to them. We are obligated to listen and obey Christ Jesus because he is the key to our salvation.

John 6:53-56… So Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in yourselves. ⁵⁴ The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day, ⁵⁵ because my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. ⁵⁶ The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 

The Lord Jesus makes reference to the eating the bread and drinking the wine as a step to the personal acceptance of the new covenant. This is a direct tie into the festival called Passover.

The pouring out of the spirit is the proof that you been accepted into the new covenant, and path to the attaining of everlasting life. See the point that Christ is making in this next passage of Scripture.

John 6:63… The Spirit is the one who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

The apostle Peter may not have fully understood at the time what Christ Jesus was saying about the partaking of the bread and the wine along with everyone else, but later Jesus disclosed to his disciples how to accept the new covenant.

 John 6:68… You have the sayings of everlasting life Lord.

Peter demonstrated the right attitude; we have to feed on the truth! Peter rightly identified Jesus as the Christ the son of the living God who had been sent forth to save the world from the enslavement to sin and death. Matthew 16:16, Romans 5:12

So, what were some of the teachings of Jesus Christ?

The Teachings of Christ

Below are just a few samples of some of the subject matters Jesus taught on.

Mathew 4:17… From that time on Jesus commenced preaching and saying: “Repent, YOU people, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.

He called for the repentance of the nation of Israel. He preached about the good news of God’s kingdom and the benefits that will come to those who will accept it.

Mathew 4:23… Then he went around throughout the whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the kingdom and curing every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity among the people.

He demonstrated that he had been given authority as he executed kingdom power in the curing of all. He clashed with the Pharisees and Sadducees over their rigid rules respecting the Sabbath. Christ Jesus was trying to teach them to practice justice and to be merciful. The Sabbath was to be a restoration time, were good works or deeds were acceptable and the caring for someone who was in need was a righteous act.

Mark 2:27-28… Then he told them, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. So then, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Christ pointed out that the Sabbath was to benefit men and he was appointed the Lord of the Sabbath.

God indicated who his servant would be by putting his Holy Spirit upon him. And how he would act on behalf of mankind.

Matthew 12:18-21… Look! My servant whom I chose, my beloved, whom my soul approved! I will put my spirit upon him, and what justice is he will make clear to the nations. ¹⁹ He will not wrangle, nor cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the broad ways. ²⁰ No bruised reed will he crush, and no smoldering flaxen wick will he extinguish, until he sends out justice with success. ²¹ Indeed, in his name nations will hope.

Christ was able to make known what justice was because he held to a viewpoint from God. He was determined to make known the righteous decrees of God. He knew not just the law of God but the principles that governed these very laws. He was a teacher, but he worked within the framework that God had set out for him to accomplish his righteous will.

Christ Jesus quoted from the Scriptures to show the source of this wisdom and his directions that he was following.

Matthew 13:35… I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world. (Psalms 78:2… I will open my mouth to illustrate points. I will explain what has been hidden long ago.)

Christ had a depth of knowledge that proved invaluable, even now were still unlocking many of the truths that he spoke about. God sent him forth to make known his purpose as respects to the earth and the rulership that would govern over it.

For a more in-depth look at the teachings of Jesus follow the hyperlink to: The Teachings of Christ

What was one of the main things that God wanted Christ to reveal to mankind?

A New Covenant?

What message was Jesus Christ to share with God’s people?

Malachi 3:1-3… See, I am going to send my messenger, and he will clear the way before me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to his temple, the Messenger of the covenant you delight in—see, he is coming,” says the Lord of Armies. ² But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will be able to stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s bleach. ³ He will be like a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.

Our father in heaven wanted Christ Jesus to make known the new covenant. And by this process of refining us, Christ could cultivate a people that would walk, talk, live, and exhibit God’s righteousness in our lives.

God had the new covenant prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah and there were two main points that God made about this new covenant.

Jeremiah 31:31-34… Look! There are days coming, is the utterance of Jehovah, and I will conclude with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant; ³² not one like the covenant that I concluded with their forefathers in the day of my taking hold of their hand to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt, which covenant of mine they themselves broke, although I myself had husbandly ownership of them, is the utterance of Jehovah. ³³ For this is the covenant that I shall conclude with the house of Israel after those days, is the utterance of Jehovah. I will put my law within them, and in their heart I shall write it. And I will become their God, and they themselves will become my people. ³⁴ And they will no more teach each one his companion and each one his brother, saying, KNOW Jehovah! for they will all of them know me, from the least one of them even to the greatest one of them, is the utterance of Jehovah. For I shall forgive their error, and their sin I shall remember no more.

Did you see the two points?  The law would be written on the hearts of those who accepted the new covenant, and there would be a forgiveness of sins.

When and how do we accept the new covenant and to whom is it being offered to?

Luke 22:14-21…When the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. ¹⁵ Then he said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” ¹⁷ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he said, Take this and share it among yourselves. ¹⁸ For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. ¹⁹ And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁰ In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” ²¹ But look, the hand of the one betraying me is at the table with me.

Did you notice that the timing or setting for the acceptance of the new covenant was at the time of Passover and that even the disciple Judas was there and participated.

The new covenant is for anyone accepting Jesus Christ as the son of God and becoming a disciple or follower of him. The eating of the bread was in recognition that everlasting life would come through the new arrangement and that bread of life represented the body of Christ. He represented the manna that sustained the life of God’s people, and the drinking of the wine was in acceptance of the new covenant.

The Passover meal was and is by all rights a communion meal, the setting or observance was done in small family groups with close friends and the eating of what was sacrificed to God was considered a sharing with him. This type of communion meal was also a major feature in the worship at the temple of God in Jerusalem.

The apostle Paul explained that he was given instructions from Jesus Christ about the Passover meal, and he also revealed a little extra detail to us.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26… For I received from the Lord that which I also handed on to YOU, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was going to be handed over took a loaf ²⁴ and, after giving thanks, he broke it and said: “This means my body which is in YOUR behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ He did likewise respecting the cup also, after he had the evening meal, saying: “This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood. Keep doing this, as often as YOU drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For as often as YOU eat this loaf and drink this cup, YOU keep proclaiming the death of the Lord, until he arrives.

The partaking of the bread and wine is also done as a remembrance of Christ and not just a one-time event, it is a testimony that we proclaim Christ as Lord of our lives until the day he arrives for all to see.

Again look at what Paul is saying in the following Scripture.

1 Corinthians 10:16-18… The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? ¹⁷Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body since all of us share the one bread. ¹⁸Consider the people of Israel. Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 

That is a true fact and to the point, that we become a participant with the sacrifice even as the Israelite nation participated in the sacrifices that were offered up on the altar of God in Jerusalem.

For a more comprehensive study of the subject matter of the new covenant follow the hyperlink to: Leader of the Covenant

How is the law of God to be written upon our hearts?

Baptism By Holy Spirit

John the Baptist was the first to identify the purpose of Christ coming.

Matthew 3:11… “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

The concept of baptism was not something new for the Israelite nation. For there were teachings on the baptisms for utensils and ceremonial cleansings. For God himself had promised that the nation would be baptized in Holy Spirit. Joel 2:28

Acts 1:3- 5…After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; ⁵ for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”

True was the word that Jesus spoke because on Pentecost the Holy Spirit was poured out upon his disciples.

Acts 2:1- 4…When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. ²Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. ³They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. ⁴Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

The disciples of Jesus Christ were baptized in Holy Spirit by the hand of Christ Jesus who God had seated at his right hand and made him Lord of heaven and earth. Acts 2:32-36

For a more comprehensive study of the subject matter on the teaching of baptism follow the hyperlink to: Teachings on Baptisms – Spirit

So, Christ Jesus became the means by which the Holy Spirit could be directed. For when we pray to the Father of heaven asking in the name of Jesus Christ so it can be done, for even Christ said he would do it, making him the Amen to our prayers. John 14:12-14

2 Corinthians 1:20-22… For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in him (Christ). Therefore, through him (Christ) we also say “Amen” to the glory of God. ²¹ Now it is God who strengthens us together with you in Christ, and who has anointed us. ²² He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.

The Holy Spirit has been sent forth by God and has taken up residency in our hearts. This is part of the adoption process as the apostle Paul explains further.

Romans 8:9-17… If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him. ¹⁰ Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you. So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, ¹³ because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. ¹⁵ For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, ¹⁷ and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Again, the apostle Paul plainly says that Christ’s spirit has been sent forth into your heart. So, God fulfilled his promise to have his law written upon our hearts, and there is none better than Christ to accomplish such a thing as being the word of God upon our hearts.

Galatians 4:4-7… When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. ⁶ And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.

Have you had such an experience of receiving Christ into your heart? Do you know of someone who has experienced the receiving of Christ spirit?

Christ Jesus has become a life-giving spirit even for those who have died in the past. The authority to do such a thing had been given by God himself.

John 5:25-28… “Truly I tell you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. ²⁶ For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he has granted to the Son to have life in himself. ²⁷ And he has granted him the right to pass judgment, because he is the Son of Man. ²⁸Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice and come out.

Can you imagine the dead standing up when Christ calls to them, what a sight to see or to be a part of, right?

A Life Giving Spirit

Jesus Christ performed resurrections before his own death but take note of what led up to the resurrection of Lazarus. What did the sister of Lazarus believe about the resurrection to come?

John 11:24-27… Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. ²⁶ Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.

What a fantastic hope to believe in the resurrection of the last day.

1 Corinthians 15:45… So it is written, The first man Adam became a living being the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving spirit.

Blessed are those who believe in both the resurrection and those who accept the new covenant.

Ephesians 2:18-22…He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through him (Christ) we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. ²¹ In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. ²² In him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.

Imagine a living temple for God to dwell in, a true tent that resides with mankind. Imagine the blessings that will flow from that building to mankind.

Revelation 21:2-4… I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. ³ Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. ⁴ He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.

Reviewing What We Have Learned

1. We have to identify who the Christ is and follow him as our Lord.
2. We have to become baptized in water, in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit.
3. We need to accept the new covenant and its arrangement.
4. We need to anticipate the baptism of spirit and of the fire that comes after.
5. We have to live the teachings of Christ Jesus.
6. We have to allow the refinement of fire for our very souls.
7. Will need to wait and hope to see the resurrection in the last day.
8. We hope to experience the temple of God residing with mankind forever.

Writingwithlogos.com – Last Revised 3/5/24