They wanted signs; he warned them to see more

September 30, 2002

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Oct. 13

They wanted signs; he wanted them to see more
___ John 6
___By Robert Creech
___University Baptist Church-Clearlake, Houston
___Many who observe the signs performed by Jesus do not truly see them. John first alerts us to this fact in 2:23-25.
___That reality surfaces again in the story of the healing of the royal official's son (4:46-54). The man begs shamelessly for his son's recovery, and Jesus replies: "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe" (4:48).
___Jesus gives him words to believe, but no miraculous evidence. That is sufficient, however. He "believed the word Jesus spoke to him" and headed home (4:50). Later, having learned his son lived, he believes some more (4:53)!
___In John 6, the sign-seekers reappear. A crowd follows Jesus simply because they had seen his miracles and wanted more (6:2). Intending to teach his disciples about himself, Jesus feeds this miracle-hungry multitude with a few loaves and fishes (6:5-13), the fourth sign in this Gospel. The crowd misinterprets this miracle as evidence of Jesus' political messiahship, and attempts to make him king (6:14). Jesus, however, rejects this approach and withdraws to the mountains, seeking solitude and prayer (6:15; 18:36).
___A fifth sign follows quickly. The disciples cross the Sea of Galilee that night, but a strong wind opposes their efforts. Unexpectedly, Jesus, walking on the sea, approaches their vessel. This sight terrifies them, but Jesus calls out: "It is I (literally, 'I am'); don't be afraid" (6:20). Immediately the boat reaches its intended destination (Psalm 107:29-30).

___The crowd of sign-seekers does not witness the fifth sign, but neither do they miss the mystery of Jesus' arrival in Capernaum (6:22-25). Jesus ignores their questions and confronts their motives: "You are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill" (6:26).
___Just as the woman in Samaria misunderstood Jesus' reference to "living water," so the crowd misunderstands his references to "living bread" (6:33-34). Jesus declares that he himself is the bread of life (6:35). Anyone who wishes to live must partake of the life he offers. Physical bread sustains the body; the bread of life sustains the very soul. It satisfies the deepest human hungers (6:35).
___Jesus' claim here is the first of several distinctive, emphatic "I am" sayings in the Gospel of John (6:35; 8:12, 28; 10:7, 9, 11; 11:25; 13:19; 14:6; 15:1). In the other Gospels, Jesus speaks often in parables about the kingdom of God. With these "I Am" sayings, however, John focuses on the King himself. The kingdom is like leaven (Matthew 13:33); Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35). The kingdom is like a vineyard (Matthew 20:1); Jesus is the true Vine (John 15:1). The kingdom is like a compassionate shepherd (Luke 15:4); Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11).
___Jesus' "I am" statements remind us of Exodus 3:14 and the name of God given to Moses: "I Am." Actually, the Greek version of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) does not translate God's name as "I Am." Rather, it gives God's name as "The Being One." In the Septuagint, however, God often speaks distinctively, especially in Isaiah, with the same emphatic "I Am" that Jesus employs in the Fourth Gospel (Isaiah 41:4, 10; 43:10, 25, for example). When Jesus says, "I am the Bread of Life," he uses a form of divine speech from the Old Testament.
___Jesus' claims are too much for the crowd to digest. They ask the question frequently raised by unbelievers in this gospel (1:48; 3:4, 9; 4:9; 7:15; 8:33; 9:10, 15, 16, 19, 26; 12:34): "How?" How can he say he has come from heaven (6:42)? How can he give them his flesh to eat (6:52)? In their misunderstanding, they reject his offer of true life (6:60, 66).
___Jesus' words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood call for personal commitment to himself. His followers cannot be mere sign-seekers. They must allow his life to completely permeate theirs (6:53-58; 15:4). Unwilling to make such a commitment, many turn and walk away (6:66).
___As the disillusioned crowd dissolves, Jesus turns to the 12 and asks them whether they also intend to abandon him (6:67). Peter boldly answers, "Lord, there is no where else to go. You are the one with the words of eternal life. We have come to believe. We have come to know that you are God's Holy One" (6:68-69).
___Jesus affirms Peter's confession and acknowledges he has chosen Peter and his comrades (6:65, 70; 15:16, 19). One devil hides even among the 12, however (6:71). Lest the reader misunderstand this reference, the narrator parenthetically intrudes with an explanation: "He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the 12, was later to betray him" (6:71).
___Commitment to Jesus Christ is not optional for disciples. A disciple does not follow for the thrills of signs and wonders. Discipleship is a life of commitment to Jesus Christ, learning from him, sharing his very life. Those with other agendas will have no appetite for his words or his life.
___Questions for discussion
___ How do you partake of the bread of life to sustain your inner life?
___ What level of confidence do you have in what you have come to believe and know about Jesus that would keep you from walking away from him?

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