At the Feast of the Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Jesus found himself in ‘the hot seat’. The religious authorities wanted to kill him and the crowds were divided about who He was. However Jesus spoke and made His identity clear to all, gave an indication of His departure from earth and spoke of the ministry of the Holy Spirit who would come and fill our greatest thirst. Despite facing such tension, Jesus issued a challenge to all who heard him to believe in Him and find the true source satisfaction in life.

When Jesus’ brothers encouraged him to attend the Jewish celebration of the Feast of the Tabernacles in Jerusalem, they did so for the wrong reasons. Their hope was that Jesus would make a name for himself and become some kind of celebrity figure. However, when Jesus attended the Feast, he did so on the quiet, yet continued to teach about himself quite openly. This led to a division among the crowds. Some thought him a madman, others said he was a good man. Varieties of opinions about Jesus continue to cause confusion today. In the midst of this uncertainty Jesus made his identity clear and remained determined to do the will of God and not the will of man.

When the crowds began to walk away from Jesus because of a hard saying, the Twelve were asked if they would also like to leave him. It was a watershed moment for the disciples. Peter replied that they had found something unique in Jesus – that His words had eternal quality – and that they could never leave him. Jesus, however, pointed out that one of the Twelve (Judas) was a traitor. Some who heard Jesus dismissed his words. Others hung on to them as life itself. Judas heard but did not believe. In which group do you belong?

After Jesus declared that he was the ‘bread of life’ many who heard this claim rejected him and his message. There are a number of reasons why. Not all the people who heard him had heard the full story about him. Others had difficulty with some of his words and claims. However Jesus was not fazed by their rejection of Him. He knew their hearts were hard. His words and claims remain. The one who fully explores them and trusts Him will find much more than mere words, but life itself.

After Jesus fed the 5,000, many people followed him with the intent of receiving more free food. To these people, Jesus said that he was the ‘bread of life’, and by doing so he highlighted the emptiness of life without him and the satisfaction that comes to those who believe in Him. Those who believe in him receive daily spiritual sustenance and best of all, eternal life!

John 6:16-21 concerns the day Jesus walked on water to his disciples out in a boat. After the feeding of the 5,000 with two fish and five loaves of bread, John records this miracle as further proof of Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God and to show the concern Jesus had for his disciples. He not only prayed for them, but came to them and the water before him was no obstacle. The believer who grasps on to this and hears His voice saying, ‘It is I, do not be afraid’ whenever they face suffering and trial, will find this a great comfort.