Summary of passage: Jesus chastises the Jews for complaining and quotes Isaiah. He further explains how he is the bread of life that will lead to eternal life and again references Moses and the Exodus. All it takes is listening to God and belief in him.
Questions:
5) Those who hear the Scriptures (the word of God) will come to Jesus and be saved. They testify about Jesus. They are spirit and life.
6) Only Jesus has seen God. But in a way if you’ve seen Jesus (those walking around in 1st century Israel and saw Jesus) has seen God since God is in Jesus as the Holy Trinity. If you are a believer, you have the Holy Spirit within (God and Jesus) as a guiding light. He is always with us, strengthening us, guiding us, and doing His will.
7a) Physical death and spiritual death.
b) Part personal Question. My answer: If you believe in Jesus, you will not suffer spiritual death but have everlasting life. My response is eternal gratitude.
Conclusions: Take away: Jesus is the only way to eternal life. God will lead you to him.
End Notes: Jesus here is teaching the Jews that all who come to him are drawn by God. Remember the Jews at this time thought eternal life was a birthright. It all starts with God. We don’t come to Him. He calls us and we respond. The Greek word “draw” is the sense of alluring.
All those who belong to God are taught by God. All those who listen to God will come to Jesus.
Jesus again insists upon his unique relationship with the Father, being the only one to have seen Him.
No other prophet ever made such a bold claim: believe in me and have everlasting life. This was shocking to the people at the time. Believe meant to trust, rely on, cling to, and love.
Another famous “I am” statement: I am the bread of life. Bread is necessary for physical life. Jesus is necessary for spiritual life.
We all feed upon something: business, pleasure, entertainment, etc. What do you feed upon?
The metaphor of eating and drinking was common in the Jesus’ time but is so universal everyone can relate.
This is not communion here. Jesus is the bread. Eat of him.
Jesus says he as the bread is his flesh that he willingly gives for our life. He is alluding to his final work on the cross.
Flesh is a strong word here meant to grab attention. Giving of flesh is death.
