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Commentaries
English
John
  
34They said to him, "Lord, give us this bread always."35Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst."


Jesus aroused in his hearers a hunger for the bread of God, and freed them from the bondage to specific works. He created in them a concern for salvation, preparing them to receive God’s gift; he explained the need for faith in his person.
At that the crowd agreed with a surface enthusiasm saying, "You the bestower of divine bread, give us this unique gift always, to save us from toil. We rely on you, fill us with eternal life, give us of your power!" They still thought in terms of earthly bread, but at least knew that God’s gift was unique.
Jesus does not spurn any approach made to him. He made it clear that he was primarily the bread of God for the whole world, not the provider of food. He in his person provided the constituents of everlasting life. He implied, "Apart from me you will not find everlasting life. I am the gift of God to you; without me you will abide in death."
"As bread enters you and provides the energy for living, so I desire to come into you, to revive your minds and consciences, so that you may live in the Spirit. Without me you can do nothing. You need me daily. I give you myself freely. You need not pay anything. Just allow me to enter your hearts." Brother, you need Christ. Reading his words or grasping his thoughts is not enough. You need him personally. He is as essential for you as food and water every day. It is up to you to receive him or you will perish.
You may ask, how does he enter into the core of my being? He replies: Let your heart long for me, come near to me and receive me thankfully, believe in me. The coming of Jesus into our hearts is fulfilled by faith. Thank Jesus for he is God’s gift to you, giving himself freely; praising him with joy, because he is ready to abide in you. He will come if you ask him surely. Beseech him to abide in you for ever.
Then Jesus will assure you, "Because you received me, I shall abide in you, and satisfy your hunger for life. Do not any longer discuss the religions of the world and its philosophies as to which is right. Do not resort to every swamp to drink from it. But I will provide you with power, meaning and peace."