He already had displayed His divine power by turning water into wine. (Joh.2:1-12) He drove those out of the temple, claiming, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise.” (Joh.2:16) He prophesied of His death and resurrection: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (Joh.2:19b) He claimed that “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (Joh.3:3b) He told of the supreme love that the Father has for His most incredible creation. (Joh.3:16-17) He spoke to the woman at the well and claimed you can drink of “this” water and never thirst again. (Joh.4:14) He healed the nobleman’s son. (Joh.4:46-53) He healed the man at the pool of Bethesda. (Joh.5:8) He claimed to have authority from His Father. (Joh.5:24-27) He feeds 5000 that followed Him because of His signs and teaching. (Joh.6:1-15) He walks on water. (Joh.6:16-21) Then…

Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” (Joh.6:26-27 NKJV)

Jesus begins what will be the great “I AM” passages. The first of these is “I AM the bread of life!” Our physical bodies would survive longer without food to nourish and strengthen us than our spiritual lives would without Christ. Jesus is the “food” that endures. It is in Him that we will find our nourishment or daily strength. Bread for the physical body will become old and stale; it will mold and be thrown out. Not so with the “bread of life.” We already know what we must do to be “in” Christ (I.e., Joh.3:3f). He says again in verse 56 of John 6, “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.”

If we seek eternity with the Father and Son, we must do so by going through the Savior. If we eat of the bread that endures, we will live in eternity with Him.

“This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” (Joh.6:58)