The Bread of Life, a Reflection on John 6:35, 41-51

When the crowd needed food, God provided it for them. It happened for this crowd and, as Jesus reminded them, it had happened before.

Then he says, "I am the bread of life."

Sometimes, bread is food; sometimes, a metaphor.

Jesus asked them to think of a time when they needed something in order to survive, a time when God provided that need. Now they still need something in order to survive, and now, God is still providing what they need.

The bread would not have been helpful if they had refused to eat it.