John 6:22-7:1 (spring, AD 29)
We’re going to hang out here for three days. For today, here’s my summary version – in script form – of the passage:
Narrator: Jesus had cross the Sea of Galilee by boat, where he fed the 5,000. After that he slipped away under cover of darkness, walked half-way across and joined the disciples in the boat for the second half. Crowd went looking and finally found him.
Crowd: When did you get here?
Jesus: You’re just looking for me to entertain you with miracles. You need to get eternal life from me instead.
Crowd: How?
Jesus: Believe in me.
Crowd: Prove it – do a miracle. Moses magically produced bread, do something like that.
Jesus: I am the bread of life. Believe in me and you will never be hungry or thirsty. But let’s be real – you won’t do that. I came from God in heaven – you need to believe in me. God will raise up EVERYONE on the last day, then God will be with everyone who believes in his son – i.e. me.
Crowd: We can’t do that, you’re just a carpenter’s son.
Jesus: I am the bread of life. Whoever believes in me has eternal life. Your ancestors ate manna in the desert and still died. You need to eat my body and drink my blood so that you will never die.
Disciples: Who can accept this teaching?
Jesus: Does that offend you? Wait until I tell you that I’m going back to heaven where I came from. THAT’S going to be offensive to people. But you don’t all believe me.
Narrator: Many disciples left – offended by Jesus claims to be the sole source of salvation and of coming directly from God.
Jesus’ claims were – and are – exclusive. How offensive is that to you?
Paul T Reynolds 