John 6:24–35 (NRSV)
Read John 6:24–35 on biblegateway.com
Verse 24So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. Verse 25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" Verse 26Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Verse 27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal."
Verse 28Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" Verse 29Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." Verse 30So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Verse 31Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Verse 32Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. Verse 33For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Verse 34They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Verse 35Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Devotion
We know what Jesus is saying in this passage: in him, all needs are met. He is “the who” that satisfies us fully and satiates our hunger and thirst for grace and mercy. But in a very real way, there is a hole in this message. Every five seconds, a child dies of hunger somewhere in the world. Nations war over access to clean water. Where is God in the depths of this real suffering? Why are these people going hungry and thirsty?
These are the questions that move us to action. It is because our needs have been met in Christ that we can turn our attention to serving our neighbor fully and joyfully. Freed of a sense of obligation, guilt, and debt, we can work at our local food shelf or raise money for aid organizations. We are God’s hands working in this world. Because of our faith we are dedicated to others, that Christ’s promises might be true in all ways.
Prayer
God, you satisfy all our needs. Give us the strength and courage to help our neighbor who is hungry or thirsty. Grant that there might be a day when hunger and thirst will be no more. Amen.