BREAD OF LIFE

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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In today’s devotional, we are going to listen as Jesus Christ teaches both his opponents and supporters that he alone gives access to eternal life, to the wisdom of God’s truth, and to the very presence of the Lord God Almighty. For those who are willing to receive Jesus as the one true Savior and Lord, sent by the Father for the good of all mankind, they will be included in the gift of eternal care and security as described in God’s word. 

41 At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” 

43 “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. 44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. 

45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. 46 No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47 Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life.

(John 6:41-47 NIV11)

Complainers

Jesus was teaching that he was sent by the Lord God to be a blessing to all who would receive him by faith. Even while he sought to explain the love and mercy of God in this way, there were those around Jesus that could not and would not accept his word and so they sought to challenge Jesus’ offer of blessing and grace. 

Instructive

This is instructive for me on a personal level. It is a good reminder that I will NEVER make all the people around me happy. No matter how I lead, no matter what I teach, and even if God were to use me to do signs and miracles, there would always be those who must complain. 

You have no doubt experienced this frustrating phenomenon. 

Even in the midst of revival or spiritual awakening (which we are seeing around the US at the moment and in my church as well), there are those who feel the need to complain and tear down the good that God is doing. These are not always unbelievers and opponents of the Gospel, most of these people I come across are found in the seats on Sunday morning. 

Jesus dealt with this group all the time. He was far more patient and much more gracious than I would have been. In this situation, the complainers used the fact that Jesus was known to them as proof that he could not be sent by God. I imagine that if he were unknown to them, they would have complained that he was a foreigner and an outsider. 

Grumbling

Jesus spoke directly to those who had complaints on their lips by telling them to stop grumbling. The Greek term used in this situation is that of γογγύζω (gognuzō). This term described the action of talking behind your hand. 

They were not addressing their complaints at Jesus directly, rather they were hiding behind one another and taking popshots at Jesus. The complainer rarely has the guts to bring their issue directly to the one they are upset with. Instead, they hide their derisive and hurtful complaints behind their hands and throw their voices in their complaint. 

Promise

In Jesus’ reply to the complainers he made the following points and promises that are each worth a study of their own. Look this list over and see what hits home for you:

Jesus is the Bread of Life

Our daily sustenance. Like the manna of the Old Testament, Jesus gives us life as we need him. We cannot hoard his goodness but instead, we must receive his presence and work in our lives daily. 

Jesus was sent by the Father

Jesus was sent with a purpose and a mission. He came to obey the will of the Father as he made a way for us to receive his gift of eternal life. 

Jesus teaches the Word of God

Jesus speaks the message of God’s heart and mind. When Jesus teaches, he teaches the truth as it exists in the mind of the Creator. 

Jesus has seen the Father

Jesus alone knows God the Father and has seen him in all his glory. Jesus has come to reveal the Lord to creation in his own work and word. 

Jesus gives life

Jesus Christ provides to all who believe the gift of new and eternal life. All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. We are the recipients of this blessing and gift. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, like the manna of old, you are the bread of life. I know you have invited me to come to you and to receive from you daily. I know that I cannot collect you, horde you, or store you for the future. I need you every day. Thank you for being my ever-present help in times of trial and hardship. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Senior Pastor at PARK HILL BAPTIST CHURCH

Worked at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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