The Bread of Life Discourse - Week 8

John 6:22-71

Note: The study related to these questions may be found at Catholic Exchange. Please go to their site for the complete material concerning this study. Unless otherwise noted, on scriptural references are from the Revised Standard Version (RSV). Below are my thoughts on the questions presented for the given study (Please see disclaimer at bottom).

Read John 6:22-71

1. Read verses 27-34. How is what Jesus is saying reminiscent to his conversation with the woman at the well in chapter 4? How is the crowd's reaction similar to the initial reaction of the Samaritan woman?
(a) In both instances Jesus explains that one should seek that which gives eternal life on not just temporary sustenance. (b) They both ask Christ to give them the Bread/Water.

2. What is the implication of Jesus referring to Himself as the Son of Man in verse 27? What does it mean that God the Father has set His seal on Jesus? (see Hebrews 1:3)
(a) Jesus is recalling the apocalyptic figure mentioned in Daniel 7 who would have an "everlastin dominion". (b) From the Letter to the Hebrews:

3: He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4: having become as much superior to angels as the name he has obtained is more excellent than theirs. (Heb 1:3-4)

This means the Jesus possesses the very nature of God. In other words, He is God.

3. Read Ex. 16:4; Hebrews 9:1-7 and 2Maccabees 2:5-8. The Ark of the Covenant that held the jar of manna had been missing for hundreds of years. See verse 30. In light of what Jeremiah had prophesied, what kind of sign might the people have expected from Jesus in order to believe?
(a) From the Book of Exodus:

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law or not." (Ex 16:4)

From the Letter to the Hebrews:

1: Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. 2: For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. 3: Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, 4: having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5: above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. 6: These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; 7: but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people. (Heb 9:1-7)

From the Second Book of Maccabees:

5: And Jeremiah came and found a cave, and he brought there the tent and the ark and the altar of incense, and he sealed up the entrance. 6: Some of those who followed him came up to mark the way, but could not find it. 7: When Jeremiah learned of it, he rebuked them and declared: "The place shall be unknown until God gathers his people together again and shows his mercy. 8: And then the Lord will disclose these things, and the glory of the Lord and the cloud will appear, as they were shown in the case of Moses, and as Solomon asked that the place should be specially consecrated." (2 Mac 2:5-8)

The people may have expected God to show Himself as he had with Moses and Solomon.

4. Jesus claims to be the true bread from heaven and that all who come to Him will never hunger or thirst. What does it mean to "come to Jesus"?
(a) It means to become a Christian. In other words, to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and source of salvation, to take up our cross and follow Him, and to eat His flesh so that we may have life within us.

5. Verse 41 states that the Jews murmured against him. Why? Read Exodus 16, verses 2, 7 & 8. What did the murmuring by their ancestors and now by these Jews indicate about them? Who were they ultimately rejecting?
(a) Because Jesus said that He was the "bread which came down from heaven". (b) From the Book of Exodus:

2: And the whole congregation of the people of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, ... 7: and in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your murmurings against the LORD. For what are we, that you murmur against us?" 8: And Moses said, "When the LORD gives you in the evening flesh to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the LORD has heard your murmurings which you murmur against him -- what are we? Your murmurings are not against us but against the LORD." (Ex 16:2,7-8)

That they lacked faith even though they had already seen great signs. (b) They were ultimately rejecting God.

6. Jesus, in verse 44, states "no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day." What does this mean? Verse 45 says they will all be taught by God. What does this mean? Read Jeremiah 31:31-34.
(a) From the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah:

31: "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32: not like the covenant which I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant which they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. 33: But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34: And no longer shall each man teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, `Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jer 31:31-34)

All are called to God, but only those who freely choose to obey the call, to follow Christ, will be saved. (b) This is indicative of the new covenant God is making with mankind, not just the nation of Israel.

7. In verse 51 Jesus goes even further by stating that the bread of life that he can give them to live forever is actually his flesh! What is their reaction to this statement? How does Jesus respond? Read verse 52. Do you think that the Jews thought Jesus was speaking in a symbolic or metaphorical sense? Why or why not?
(a) They disputed among themselves. (b) Jesus responds by reinforcing His statement. (c) The Jews did not think Jesus was speaking symbolically or metaphorically. (d) Because, had Jesus not been speaking literally, there would have been no reason for the Jews to question His statement.

8. Read verses 53-58. Jesus reiterates his former statement by saying "Truly, truly" (some translations read "verily, verily" or "Amen, amen"), which is a way of emphasizing what he is about to say is factual. Read verse 60. Did most believe him? Why or why not?
(a) Most did not believe Him. (b) Because this was a "hard saying".

9. In verse 63 Jesus says "it is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail." Many people (especially non-Catholics) use this statement to discredit all that Jesus has previously said. They make the argument that by saying this, Jesus was only speaking in a spiritual sense, meaning that he was speaking symbolically. Does spiritual mean symbolic? What does Jesus mean by the statement in verse 63?
(a) No. (b) Jesus means that only by the Spirit, and not by the works of the flesh, can one gain life.

10. Read verses 64-66. To whom is Jesus referring?
(a) Jesus is referring to the many disciples He has made as a result of the signs He as performed.

11. Read verse 66. Many of his disciples now deserted him because of his teaching on the bread of Life - because he said that they would have to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Why did they turn their back on Jesus? Why didn't they believe Him? Are there people today who don't believe? Do you think that a Catholic who believes in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist would leave the Catholic Church?
(a) Because they did not believe what Jesus was telling them. (b) Because they did not understand how this could be. (c) Yes. (d) No. Because that would entail rejecting God.

12. Jesus turns to His twelve apostles and asks them if they, too, will leave him. Who answers for the twelve? What does he say? Why does Jesus make the statement about one of the twelve apostles being a devil in verse 70?
(a) Peter answers for the twelve. (b) "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." (d) To illustrate that to remain "with" Him yet not believe in Him is an even greater apostasy.

Disclaimer: I do not wish to present myself as an expert in either theology, history, or scriptural interpretation. I am merely someone who is attempting to answer the call of Christ. The ultimate authority and interpreter of scripture is our Holy Catholic Church. If at any point I deviate from the teachings of the Church, please correct me, alfredo@nevarez.net, as this is my shortcoming and in no way meant to be an expression of my views superceding those of the Church founded by Jesus Christ.

San Jose Bible Study
Alfredo Nevarez
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alfredo@nevarez.net
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