Jesus the Bread of Life (Exodus 16; John 6)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
1 May 2022
Israel was fed with food from heaven. This food was manna and fed Israel for forty years. The manna points to Jesus who is the true manna from heaven. Jesus is the bread of life who feeds our souls.
After deliverance from Egypt, Israel experienced testing times. Christians after coming to faith in Jesus will also have testing times. We are delivered from the chains of a slave but not the trials of a saint.
There were several million Hebrews who left Egypt. How were they to be fed? Some of them complained and considered going back to Egypt. They were guilty of unbelief. They preferred to go backwards as virtual prisoners rather than forwards as valiant pilgrims. This displeased the Lord.
Israel forgot that the Lord is committed to his people. The Israelites were taught his commitment (Exodus 3:17; 12:13; 15:26). The Church likewise is taught the Lord's commitment. Let us not be unbelieving. If Jesus is for us who can be against us?
God provided miraculously for his people. Manna fell from heaven and fed Israel. For Christians the spiritual manna is Jesus who is God's provision for us. Miracles never cease they say; God's provision never ceases. O Lord, give us this day out daily bread.
God's provision required Israel to respond. They had to go out and work. God provided; Israel must gather. God has given us Jesus; we must gather unto him.
Jesus is the bread of life. He fulfils the manna of the Exodus. He feeds our soul and more than that—-he cares for all our earthly needs.
The manna had a heavenly origin. Jesus the bread of life came from heaven. He came from heaven to earth to feed hungry souls. He satisfies as nothing on earth can.
The manna was desirable. The Israelites desired food and God gave them food. Jesus is to be desired. All who seek him will find him and not be disappointed.
The manna satisfied. The Hebrews did not starve to death. Manna satisfied their hunger. Jesus satisfies. He said whoever ate the bread of life would not hunger. He meets all our needs.
The manna was enough to see Israel through to the promised land (Ex. 6:37). Jesus said those who trust him will live forever. They will certainly get to heaven.
Jesus is the true manna from heaven. He is the bread of life. Come and taste him. He is good.