John - Week 17

Perishable Things 

READ 

John 6:26-27 

26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”  

Previously it was asked if you thought all in the crowd following Jesus were really believers. This passage gives us a clue to the answer. Jesus was aware that those following Him were not doing so because of their trust in Him as Savior. They were more concerned about the physical things He could provide, not the spiritual. Notice that Jesus urged them to spend their energy in seeking eternal life rather than physical benefits. 

REFLECT 

Have you ever thought about Judas of Iscariot who traveled with Jesus and the disciples for three years and yet was not a believer? At the last supper the other disciples were not even aware of this. He must have been doing all that the other disciples were doing or they would have been suspicious of him. Could some in church groups today be like Judas? 

RESPOND 

Do you agree that the comments of Jesus reveal He knew most of those in the crowd were not believers? Knowing this helps clarify a verse that will appear later. 

 Believe 

READ 

John 6:28-29 

28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” 

29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”  

Those particularly in the western world always think they must work for something of value. This short passage is powerful in pointing out what is really needed. Have you memorized John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9 in whatever version of the Scriptures you use? Those verses contain the truth Jesus was telling the crowd. No one comes into right relationship with God by works no matter how good the works are, or the person is. 

REFLECT 

Think of your own story of how you came from a works concept about salvation to a grace-through-faith concept. Have you ever shared your personal experience with others? Who will you tell? 

RESPOND 

Have you ever used John 3:16 or Ephesians 2:8-9 in your witnessing? Look them up now and memorize or review them so they flow off your tongue easily as you talk to others. 

Show Us a Miracle 

READ 

John 6:30-31 

30 They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? 31 After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”  

Sometimes unbelievers know as much Scripture as believers do. The crowd even cited examples from the Old Testament to Jesus thinking this would change His mind. The crowd is still focused on the visible rather than the invisible. Their requests for a miraculous sign only proved they were not thinking about eternal matters. 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “The things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” You can use this verse to remind others that someday we will all be in eternity. 

REFLECT 

Do you think if Jesus had performed a miracle in front of the crowd that would have caused many to believe in Him as the Savior? If not, why not? 

RESPOND 

How will you answer an unbeliever who brings up things from the Bible that you have not heard of? You need to be prepared for this ahead of time. What will you do? How will you help your disciple to think about this? 

True Bread from Heaven 

READ 

John 6:32-34 

32 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”  

Jesus clarified for the crowd who was the true source of the Manna in the Old Testament. Then the crowd had a different response. Many times people are more focused on the gift rather than the Giver. Jesus clarified this for them. Then they responded much like the woman at the well in John 4. She wanted the water Jesus was offering so she would never have to draw again. The crowd here wanted Him to provide a miracle of bread from heaven every day. 

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes been guilty of focusing on the gift rather than the Giver? Think of an example and explain how changing your perspective affected your thinking. 

RESPOND 

As the crowd misunderstood what Jesus was referring to, have you had some misunderstand what you mean as you witness about salvation? Give an example and explain how you handled that situation. 

The Bread of Life 

READ 

John 6:35-37 

35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. 37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.  

Throughout the New Testament there are various references to Jesus as the “I am.” This is a reference to Exodus 3:14 after Moses said the people would ask the name of the one who sent him. “God replied to Moses, ‘I am who I am. Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.’” This passage in John gives one of the “I am’s” of the New Testament. Bread is a reference to food that sustains life. The manna in the Old Testament sustained daily life, but the spiritual life that Jesus offers to those who trust in Him as Savior is good for eternity. Notice in verse 37 that God has a responsibility in an individual’s salvation. But also notice the individual must also make a decision to come to the Lord Jesus. 

REFLECT 

Have you pointed out to those to whom you are witnessing that there is a cavity in the heart of each person that only God can fill? Think about how you can express this and be able to tell a person who comes to Jesus that individual will never spiritually hunger or thirst again. 

RESPOND 

For those who express an interest about Jesus, remind them that God has done the work of drawing them to Himself. Then follow that by asking if they have come to Jesus by trusting in Him as Savior? You can point out that God has done His part, but now the next move is up to them.