Trusting Jesus When Life Is Hard: A Study on John 6Sýnishorn

Jesus: The Bread of Life

The thousands following Jesus were motivated to seek Him because of His previous healings, and the personal benefit they experienced through their filling meal.

After this miracle meal, Jesus and His disciples set off to the other side of the lake—and the crowd continued to follow them. Undoubtedly their curiosity and eagerness to learn the true identity of Jesus was growing. But instead of believing and trusting Jesus through the evidence of what He had already done for them, they sought another sign—more proof—that He was the promised Messiah or at least another great prophet of God.

This Jewish crowd wanted proof similar to the Old Testament event where God had rained down manna from heaven for the Israelites while they were in the wilderness.

But Jesus had just given them their own “manna experience.” And now they were asking for another sign to believe!

Imagine how Jesus must have felt. Dumbfounded. Discouraged. Frustrated.

Instead of acting on these possible emotions, this is how He responded:

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. ... you have seen me and still you do not believe.” John 6:35-36 NIV

Throughout this devotional, we’ve looked at the miracle of the multiplied meal. While this is undeniably amazing, Jesus Himself was the real answer and their real need.

In waiting for our miracles, it’s easy to be motivated by what we want and need as the “fix” to our problems. If we’re not careful, we can become so focused on what we want God to provide that we miss the gift of what is already before us—knowing and trusting the Provider, our Bread of Life.

By declaring Himself as the Bread of Life, Jesus was revealing that He is the Gift and the Prize. And the same is true today.

Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is trustworthy and good. He is our daily provision and eternal salvation. He is our provider and sustainer—moment by moment, and day by day.

It’s Jesus’ presence that changes everything. He’s got you.

Truly, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Journal: Consider the trial you’ve been experiencing and reflecting on throughout this devotional. Have you been more focused on the problem or the Provider? How can you shift your focus to see Jesus as the true answer to the miracle you’re wanting?

This Bible Plan is adapted from the free 4-week Bible Study, Jesus: The Bread of Life. You can find this study at: www.go2.lc/breadoflifestudy