I Am the Bread of Life

In the book of John, Jesus uses the phrase “I AM” in seven declarations about himself. Each I AM is linked to a metaphor which describes an aspect of his saving relationship toward the world. In this lesson we will look at the first. "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst'” (John 6:35 ESV).

Remember, in a previous lesson when Jesus multiplied a very small quantity of bread and fish to feed a great multitude. He is now expanding this into the spiritual realm by referring to himself as the bread of life. Jesus is claiming to be spiritual bread that brings eternal life to whoever comes to him. To benefit from this spiritual bread one must “come” to him and “believe” in him. To come to him implies turning away from something and moving toward him. Turning away may mean giving up some things and it also may involve a cost. There are many examples of people losing jobs, homes, families, and even their lives when coming by faith to embrace Jesus. Living out ones faith is some parts of the world can be very costly and dangerous.

“Hunger” and “thirst” is a reference to righteousness. In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6 ESV). Before turning and going to the bread of life we were slaves of sin because we were born with a sin nature, but once spiritual life begins to form within us it produces a hunger and a thirst for living in righteousness. As the bread of life, Jesus makes us righteous in the sight of God. Righteousness is not something we can earn to satisfy God, but is given to us by Jesus when we come to him in belief.

The phrase “I AM” is a reference to the name of God used in the book of Exodus. By using it Jesus is making a claim to deity.