The Names of Christ
"NAMES OF CHRIST"© -is a book written by Dr. James Modlish
-reprinted here with the author's permission-

Lesson Two

The Bread of Life
(John 6)

Introduction: In the East bread is primary, other articles of food merely accessory; while in the West meat and bread is secondary. Accordingly "bread" in the Old Testament from (Gen. 3:19) onward stands for food in general.

According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia , "The large pone or thick loaf of the West is unknown in the East. The common oriental cake or loaf is proverbially thin. The thin homemade bread is really named both in Hebrew and Arabic from its thinness as is reflected in the "wafer" in (Ex. 16:31; 29:23; Lev. 8:26; Num. 6:19).

"It is still significantly customary at a Syrian meal to take a piece of such bread and, with the ease and skill of long habit, to fold it over at the end held in the hand so as to make a sort of spoon of it, which then is eaten along with whatever is lifted by it out of the common dish (cf. Matt. 26:23). But this "dipping in the common dish" is so accomplished as not to allow the contents of the dish to be touched by the fingers, or by anything that has been in contact with the lips of those who sit at meat.

"Such "loaves" are generally today about 7 inches in diameter and from half an inch to an inch thick. Such, probably, were the lad's "barley loaves" brought to Christ at the time of the feeding of the 5,000 (Jn. 6:9-13). Even thinner cakes, of both leavened and unleavened bread, are sometimes made now as of old, especially at times of religious festivals. Often they are coated on the upper surface with olive oil and take on a glossy brown color in cooking; and sometimes they are sprinkled over with aromatic seeds, which adhere and impart a spicy flavor."

The ancients were very much aware of the Divine processes that were necessary to bring about a grain harvest and consequently regard bread as peculiarly "a gift of God." A day reminder of His continual and often undeserved care (Matt. 5:45) was reflected in Jesus' prayer instructions (Matt. 6:11).

"Give us this day our daily bread."

I. THE MIRACLE

The entire "bread of life" discussion is prefaced by the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 (Matt. 6:1-14).

When Jesus compared Himself to bread, He must have had the entire bread making process in mind. Before you can have bread there must be grain.

A. The seed was planted. (Jn. 1:1,14; 1 Pet. 1:23; Lk. 1:35)
B. The seed sprouted. (Isa. 53:2; Lk. 2:40,52)
C. The seed bore fruit. (Lk. 24:19)
D. The fruit is cut down. (Isa. 53:8)
E. The grain is ground. (Isa. 52:14; 1 Pet. 2:21-24; 1 Sam. 53:4,5)
F. The flour is baked. (Acts 2:27,31)
G. Life giving substance is the result. (Heb. 2:10; 1 Jn. 5:11,12) 

II. THE MANNA

The listening audience of Jesus desired a perpetual miracle (Matt. 6:31). They had failed to see the obvious comparisons.

A. The Type - It is interesting to study the Old Testament manna as a type or picture of Jesus Christ.

[1]. It came from heaven at night; Christ came, from heaven when men were in darkness.

[2]. It fell on the dew; Christ came, born of the Spirit of God.

[3]. It was not defiled by the earth; Christ was sinless, separate from sinners.

[4]. It was small, round, and white, speaking of Christ's humility, eternity, purity.

[5]. It was sweet to the taste; Christ is sweet to those who trust Him.

[6]. It had to be taken and eaten; Christ must be received and appropriated.

[7]. it came as a free gift; Christ is the free gift of God to the world.

[8]. There was sufficient for all; Christ is sufficient for all.

[9]. If you did not pick it up, you walked on it; if you do not receive Christ, you reject Him and walk on Him (See Heb. 10:26-31).

[10]. It was wilderness food; Christ is our food in this pilgrim journey to heaven.

B. The Materials

[1]. Barley - Barley was in early times, as it is today. The main bread - stuff of the poor people. This is a picture of the availability of Christ to everyone.

[2]. Wheat - Wheat was also widely used as a bread - stuff then, as it is now, the wheat of the Syrian plains and uplands being remarkable for its nutritious and keeping qualities.

Three kinds, or qualities, of flour, are distinguished, according to the way of making:

1). A coarser sort, rudely made by the use of pestle and mortar, the "beaten corn" of (Lev. 2:14,16)

2). The "flour" or "meal" of ordinary use (Ex. 29:2; Lev. 2:2; 6:15)

3). The "fine meal" for honored guests (see Gen. 18:6), where Abraham commands Sarah to "Make ready... three measures of fine meal") with which we may compare the "find flour" for the kings kitchen (I Kings 4:22) and the "fine flour" required for the ritual meal offering as in (Lev. 2:1; 5:11; 7:12; 14:10; 23:13; 24:5; etc.).

The idea is that Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, reaches into every sector of life. 

III. THE MESSAGE

What does Jesus mean by "eating" His flesh and "drinking" His blood? HE IS NOT SPEAKING LITERALLY! In (Jn. 6:63) He clearly says, "The flesh profiteth nothing." What gives life? "It is the SPIRIT THAT QUICKENETH" (Jn. 6:63), "THE WORDS that I speak unto you, THEY are Spirit and they are life."

In other words, a person eats Christ's flesh and drinks His blood - that is, partakes of Christ and receives Him - by receiving THE WORD as taught by THE SPIRIT.

Christ is not talking about the bread and cup of the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper had not even been instituted, and when it was, Jesus clearly stated that it was a MEMORIAL only. It did not impart fife. To say that a man receives eternal fife by eating bread and drinking wine is to deny the very Word of God: "The flesh profited NOTHING. "

Jesus is the Living Word (Jn. 1:14) and He was "made flesh" for us (1:14). The Bible is the written Word. Whatever the Bible says about Jesus, it also says about itself Both are holy (Lk. 1:35 and 2 Tim. 3:15); both are Truth (Jn. 14:6; 17:17); both are Light (Jn. 8:12; Ps. 119:105); both give fife (Jn. 5:21 - Ps. 119:93); both produce the new birth (1 Jn. 5:18; 1 Pet. 1:23); both are eternal (Rev. 4:10; 1 Pet. 1:23); both are the power of God (1 Cor. 1:24); Rom. 1:16). The conclusion is obvious: when I receive the Word into my heart, I receive Jesus Christ. We "eat His flesh" by partaking of the Word of God. I am the living Bread," said Jesus in (vs. 51); and in Lk. 4:4 He said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God." Peter grasped the meaning of the sermon, for in (Jn. 6:68) he said, "To whom shall we go? Thou hast THE WORDS of eternal life."

 

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