In John 6:22-70, Jesus confronts a crowd that seeks Him, not for who He is, but for what He can
give them. They had witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, yet they were more
focused on satisfying their physical hunger than recognizing their deeper need for spiritual
nourishment. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts—are we seeking God only
for what He can provide, or do we truly desire Him above all else?
Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever
believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). These words remind us that our souls were
created for more than temporary satisfaction. We often try to fill the emptiness in our lives with
material things, success, relationships, or distractions, yet none of these can satisfy our deepest
hunger. True fulfillment comes only through a relationship with Jesus. Recognizing our need for
God means acknowledging that we cannot sustain ourselves—we need His grace, His truth, and
His presence to live abundantly.
However, this passage also reveals that following Jesus requires transformation. Many of His
disciples found His teaching difficult and walked away. His call to “eat His flesh and drink His
blood” (John 6:53) was shocking to them, but it pointed to a deeper truth: we must fully partake
in His life, death, and resurrection. Accepting Christ means surrendering our own ways of
thinking, our sin, and even our comfort. We may need to let go of pride, selfishness, or habits
that pull us away from Him. It may require us to trust Him when His teachings challenge our
understanding.
Like Peter, we are faced with a decision: when the truth becomes difficult, will we turn away, or
will we cling to Jesus? Peter’s response is profound: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have
the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). This is the heart of true faith—an awareness that, despite
our struggles, nothing else can give us life but Christ. If we desire to grow in our faith, we must
be willing to let God change us. This may mean shifting our priorities, seeking Him in prayer and
Scripture, and allowing His Spirit to reshape our desires.
John 6:22-70 reminds us that our greatest need is not physical but spiritual. Jesus invites us to
rely on Him daily, just as we need food to survive. As we recognize our need for Him, we must
also be willing to embrace the changes He calls us to make. Let us not be like the crowd that
sought only temporary blessings but like Peter, who understood that Jesus alone holds the key to
eternal life.
Additional Resources:
Reading Along with the Gospel of John 6 RightNow Media.
Wonderful and rich thoughts, Andrew! We absolutely need to rejoice in the spiritual feast He provides us!
Thank you for your great thoughts, Andrew. This passage was really challenging for the 1st century Jews but - just like you said - it's also challenging for us!