Rev. Rob Jones
November 18, 2025
John 6:25-35
Then they (the crowd that Jesus fed with bread and fish) said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?"29Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."30So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"32Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."34They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."35Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
In this passage, we find the crowds searching for Jesus after He performed the miraculous feeding of the 5000. They were demonstrating their eagerness for more of what He had provided. However, Jesus challenges their motives. You see, they were not searching for more teachings or what was really spiritual sustenance.
They were instead searching for food, simple earthly sustenance. Let us not diminish the importance of food, especially in Jesus’ day. I doubt any of us has ever been truly hungry. We may have had to postpone a meal or even miss one on occasion. But actual physical hunger is not something we have felt. When we stop and take time to give thanks, remember this, and we may begin to understand it.
Jesus began by urging these people not to seek only the temporary bread that satisfies physical hunger, but to pursue the “true bread that endures to eternal life.” He emphasizes that our hearts are naturally inclined to chase after worldly, fleeting things, which we all know is true. We also know that it is only through the work of the Spirit that we are guided toward the ultimate and lasting Gift.
In verses 28-29, John tells us that the crowd approaches Jesus (and we can say either in their ignorance or innocence) with a sincere question: “What must we do to be doing the works of God?” A profound question… and on its own it might be a good question. But we must account for intent. They wanted to get their bellies full, not their hearts.
Jesus responds with honest and profound simplicity, declaring, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” Here, Jesus shifts the focus from the outward actions and piousness emphasized by the religion of his day to the heart of true faith itself. His message is clear—salvation is not earned by our deeds but received through faith in the One sent by God.
I do not care what church you attend, what denomination you are, or what church you grew up in; if we are not talking Jesus, we are not talking the bread of life.
When we talk about Jesus, we must emphasize that He is more than just a provider of physical needs—He is our one true spiritual sustenance sent from God. Jesus alone satisfies our deepest spiritual hunger and thirst, offering us eternal life and a sense of fulfillment that cannot be found in worldly things. Through Him, we are not only nourished and transformed but also unified in faith and gratitude.
I have heard it said, “Come to Jesus” and be saved. Not to belittle that theology, but let me offer another point of view from the gospel. Those of us who are saved will understand this. Because when we meet Jesus, it is not we coming to him. Jesus always meets us exactly where we are. Whether it is in a church service singing Amazing Grace, or at the rock bottom of a liquor bottle. When we decide to come to Jesus, we realize this. He was right beside us the whole time. Advocating for us with the father.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says that salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Our standing with God is not based on our own works or merit; instead, our works are grounded in the transforming love of Christ.
We do not “come to Jesus” in a physical sense because Jesus is already there, right with you. Right now!
Think of every encounter Jesus has with everyone in the Gospels. He meets them in their hunger, thirst, blindness, leprosy,and SIN.
And the Good News of the Gospel is this, Friends, by the transforming grace of Jesus, we can live in the light of GOD… as servant leaders because Jesus lived as one. As a friend of mine says, we are blessed to be a blessing.
Back to our story…
The people hear what Jesus says, but they aren’t listening (something every preacher knows about every Sunday morning). They say, “You know, this reminds us of something.” And they recall how their ancestors received manna in the wilderness, when they were with Moses. They intentionally bring the subject back to earthly food. They were still hoping for a similar miraculous sign.
Jesus then clarifies that it was not Moses who provided the bread from heaven. He says, “It was God Himself who gave the genuine bread that brings life.” He shifts their focus again from physical provision to spiritual sustenance.
When I read this exchange, I think “AMEN!” “I am so glad Jesus is advocating for me, because he knows how to stay on subject. LOL
I also think about how so many of us are looking for something to fill us up. Some search their entire lives because they have never met Jesus. They have never felt the Holy Spirit. They have a hole that nothing in this world can fill, no matter how big their house is, how expensive their car is, or how many toys they own. They never learn the lesson Jesus is teaching right here in John. “It’s not about physical provisions; it’s about spiritual sustenance.”
God alone provides what we need most.
Our deepest needs are never met by human effort but only by God’s gracious provision in Jesus. Tonight, if there is a hole in your heart. Stop now and see if it is Jesus-shaped. I bet it is.
If you walk with Jesus, you are not the same person you were before. If you live by his word, you learn that life is not a transaction with God. You no longer ask, “What must we do?” “What signs must we look for?” Nor will you have to ask God to “give us this bread always.” Because God is faithful. Always.
Jesus boldly declared to the people, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”With these words, He reveals Himself as the only One who truly satisfies the deepest needs of our souls. The Bible makes this clear—Christ alone is the source of spiritual nourishment and salvation.
There is also an intimacy that those of us who are saved by the grace of God can feel. It isn’t easy to put into words. Many pastors have tried. Many books have been written about salvation. Thousands of sermons have been preached. But this is a truth both Presbyterians and Baptists can rejoice in together: in Christ, all our deepest needs are met, drawing us into unity and thanksgiving for the gift of His life-giving presence.
Thanksgiving isn't just a time to show gratitude for our material blessings. No! Most importantly, it's an opportunity to thank God for the unmatched gift of Jesus Christ, our Bread of Life. Because of Jesus, we gather and encourage one another to practice real gratitude through prayer, praise, and works of kindness.
What we do this coming week—our Thanksgiving—should be more than just an annual tradition; it should be one of many daily reflections of Christ’s love and generosity in our lives.
As we gather, give thanks, and share bread, let us renew our trust in Christ, relying not on our own efforts but on the finished work Jesus accomplished for us.
United in gratitude, let us celebrate every spiritual and earthly blessing God has graciously given. With thankful hearts, lift prayers, expressing deep appreciation for the unity we share as children of God, God’s faithful provision, and above all, the incomparable gift of Jesus—the true Bread of Life.
I will leave you to contemplate this in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
