"The Bread Of Life"
Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled.
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
In this pivotal passage, Jesus challenges the multitude's motivations, urging them to seek sustenance beyond physical nourishment. He contrasts the temporary satisfaction of eating with the enduring fulfillment found in spiritual belief, proclaiming himself as "the bread of life." This metaphorical language elevates the conversation from physical to spiritual sustenance, emphasizing faith's paramount importance. Jesus invites people to trust in him not for miracles, but for the eternal life he offers. He invokes the memory of manna from heaven, drawing a parallel between the sustenance provided to the Israelites and the spiritual nourishment he embodies. By identifying himself as the true bread, Jesus emphasizes his divine role and the promise of eternal fulfillment through belief in him. This declaration underlines the essence of his mission and the transformative power of faith.
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