Lord, to Whom Would We Go?

John 6 begins with a sign that echoes Israel's story. As Moses led Israel through the wilderness, God fed them with manna. Now, near the Passover, Jesus fed a multitude on a mountainside. A boy's five barley loaves and two fish became a feast for about five thousand men. Twelve baskets of fragments were gathered so nothing would be lost. The people said this must be the Prophet like Moses, and they wanted to make Him king. But Jesus would not be the kind of king they wanted.

That night Jesus came to His frightened disciples walking on the stormy sea. He said, It is I. In Greek, these words are the same as I am, the name God used for Himself. Jesus was showing that He has power over creation.

The next day Jesus taught in the synagogue at Capernaum. The crowd wanted another sign, like the manna. Jesus said the Father gives the true bread from heaven. Then He said, I am the bread of life. As bread gives life to the body, Jesus gives eternal life to all who come to Him and believe. He said He would give His flesh for the life of the world, pointing to the cross. Many found this a hard saying and turned away. Peter spoke for the twelve: Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.