“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom God has sent.” (John 6:27-29)

I have no doubt why churches that promote the prosperity gospel are usually full. Wouldn’t it be nice if God came to humanity so that we could have lots of $ bread $. The people in this week’s Gospel from John witness the feeding of five thousand, the healing of the sick, and some even get to see Jesus walking on water. The people want to know what they must do to perform the works of God. Jesus says that we must believe in him. It is hard for some to understand that Jesus does not give away $ bread $ or (rye) bread, but that he is the bread of life. Jesus is the water that quenches our thirst. Jesus is the path that brings us to the full stature of God. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Our reaction to Jesus’ words should be to make Jesus the focal point of our lives. Most of us want to have meaning and purpose in our lives, but do we realize that all we have to do is love God and love our neighbor. When the people in the Gospel ask for this bread, Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

In Christ’s love,

Rev. Duncan Burns