Gò0dNews for Life
The Christ We Need
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by Matt Jensen
esus then took the loaves, and when he had given
event is taking place during the Passover festival (John 6:4 cf.,
thanks, he distributed them to those who were
Exodus 12-13). John wants to keep “the Lamb of God who takes
seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) ever before our eyes.
And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples,
During the Passover, Israel’s firstborn sons were spared, but
‘Gather up the leftover fragments that nothing may be lost’”
in the Passover, the only begotten Son of God was slain. During
(John 6:11-12).
the first Passover, blood was applied to the door, but in the
This passage comes to the heart of Jesus’ feeding of the five
Passover, Christ is the blood-soaked door (John 10:7, 9). During
thousand. I will not keep you waiting—this miracle shows us
the Passover, Israel was safely tucked inside their houses, but
the God who abundantly provides. But we need to be clear on
in the Passover, Jesus faced the cross outside. Unleavened bread
what He has promised to provide, which is seen in this miracle.
sustained Israel after the Passover, and in the Passover Jesus is the “bread of life” (John 6:35). It is Christ, not bread, that is the significance of this miracle. To miss this point is to miss heaven! Jesus exposes the hearts of those who were seeking Him “because they ate their fill of the loaves,” and commands, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life” (John 6:27). In other words, don’t get caught in the cares of this world, forgetting the world to come. “I am the bread of Life,” Jesus says, “whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Christ himself is what God has promised to give! Christ as true man and yet true God (John
Misunderstanding God’s provision has led many to serious
1:1-3, 14). Christ instructing His ignorant people (Hebrews
doubts or worse: apostasy.
1:1-3). Christ our wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30). Christ our
Does God provide health, wealth, and happiness? Of
protector and safety (John 10). Christ our Passover Lamb, who
course, He does, “every good gift and every perfect gift is
takes away our sin (1 Corinthians 5:7, John 1:29). Christ our
from above” (James 1:17). Jesus laid the test to Philip, “Where
righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ our life (Colossians
are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” “We
3:1-4)! He must increase and we must decrease (John 3:30).
could work our fingers to the bone most of the year,” Philip
We must thank God for the abundance of bread that
basically retorts, “and not be able to provide even a bite for
perishes (i.e., health, wealth, and happiness), but don’t lose
everyone!” (John 6:5-7). Andrew’s answer is not much better
sight of the bread that endures to eternal life. Keep Christ ever
(John 6:8-9). Jesus—the Good Shepherd—leads the people into
before the hungry eyes of your soul! Let us thank God for the
green pastures (John 6:10; cf. Psalm 23) and provides so much
“bread of life.”
food that there were twelve baskets of leftovers after everyone But does God promise to provide health, wealth, and happiness, or is Jesus making a deeper statement? Notice this
22 // April 2022
About The Author
had eaten their fill.
Matt Jensen is a missionary from Reformation Baptist Church in Dalton, Georgia. He and his wife, Danielle, are preparing to move to Thailand soon with their son, Judah. They are also anticipating the birth of another son, Gabriel.
