The Work and Will of God: Summary of John 6:16-40

by Teresa^(1,654) Bronze Star

Read John 6:16-40

After Jesus worked the miracle of multiplying the fish and bread, He went to the mountain to be alone. Throughout the Old and New Testament we find that the people of God often met with Him atop a mountain. Here Jesus left an example of how important it is to be alone with God - whether through prayer or studying, or both. While Jesus was on Earth, He showed complete reliance on the Father. We need to do the same. Are we seeking God for our next task? I believe Jesus spent this time in prayer for what was to follow in the next few hours and into the next day.

When evening came this same day, the disciples left in their boats toward Capernaum. It wasn't until later that Jesus followed. Though Jesus did not take a boat. Instead, He walked out onto the sea toward His disciples during a wind storm. The disciples probably thought He was a ghost because Jesus called out to them, saying it was He and not to be afraid.

In verse 21 we read "Then they willingly received Him into the boat and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going."

Here we read of another two miracles by Jesus; Walking on water, and the boat taken in an instant to its destination and was on calm ground. Jesus always had a point to everything He did. Perhaps the lesson for us is that we should not be afraid when we sense Jesus calling to us. If we invite Him into our "boat", we too can experience a calmness. In Matthew chapter 17:6 we have a detailed account of this story. Matthew shared with us that the winds were blowing and the sea was rough. Once Jesus stepped into the boat, the waters calmed. Our circumstances may not change instantly, but the lesson is clear; Jesus will bring calmness to our hearts.

The following day many of the same people who ate followed Jesus and began to speak to Him. Jesus answered by teaching them about the food that leads to everlasting life. He used temporary satisfaction of food which is worked for to feed their physical bodies as an analogy.

In response, they asked an important question:"What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered..." This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." This led to a conversation about the manna that the Israelites ate while wandering in the dessert before they reached the promise land. Jesus explained that the manna that their fathers ate was not the true bread from heaven, because though it sustained them physically, it was of no eternal value.

Jesus followed by making several profound statements - again declaring that He is the Son of God and the only way to eternal life:

1) I am the bread of life.

2) He who comes to Me shall never hunger.

3) He who believes in Me shall never thirst.

4) All that the Father gives Me will come to Me.

5) All who come to Me, I will by no means cast out.

6) I have come down from heaven not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent me.

7) Everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life.

8) I will raise him up on the last day.

As we have been discussing all throughout this study, Jesus leaves no room for doubt as to whether or not He claimed to be the Son of God. These statements caused many of the Jews to complain because they understood that Jesus was making Himself equal with God. This is just the beginning of His discourse on being the Bread of Life.

Join us for our discussion questions that will follow shortly, as we search additional Scriptures regarding John 6:16-40. In the meantime, what are your thoughts? Please share them with us.

Discussion Questions

(C) Teresa Ortiz - Book of John Study 2011. All rights reserved.

Article submitted Monday, June 06, 2011 & read 381 times.

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» left by Marijo L Phelps from United States (345 days 22 hours ago.)

Don't you wonder how it will unwind when we see Him face to face and He does the instant replays for us? When we could have given and didn't and when we did and didn't even think that it was "as unto Him"? Wow!

» left by Teresa^(1,654) (344 days 19 hours ago.)

I do! It's all mystery and the things we read about in Revelation are just the beginning, I'm sure of it! Looking forward to this day, praying many, many more will join us! May God open eyes and hearts as he did ours! What Grace!

» left by Bart⁽²³⁾ (345 days 17 hours ago.)

Hello Teresa, thank you for the thought provoking article. Something I was thinking about as I was reading: Everything (and every time) we eat, it is a picture of Jesus as the Bread of Life. When we eat meat, an innocent animal died to sustain our life. Fruit and veggies had to be pulled out of the ground, or plucked off a tree, which begins their death, just so our life can be sustained. Jesus too, as that innocent Bread of Life, would die to sustain our life. Every meal then is a picture of redemption, so when we give thanks for our food, we should give thanks for the innocent who died to give us eternal life and to sustain our life eternally. Thanks for the article; it has given me some new insights into the Word. Blessings, Bart.

» left by Teresa^(1,654) (343 days 1 hour ago.)

Hi Bart. How are you? Thank you for adding your thoughts. I love this insight. I hadn't really thought about this aspect of the gift of life. Amazing. Blessings to you! Teresa

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