John: To Whom Shall We Go

John 6:22-71

An old writer once said that some people love Jesus like a farmer loves his cow, for the milk and cheese. It’s true. We sometimes love Jesus not so much for who he is but for what he provides. That was certainly true in Jesus’ day.

Today, we will examine John 6:22-71. I will give commentary on the story and then explore several key truths that emerge from this passage. 

After Jesus fed more than 5,000 people with the boy’s lunch, the crowd searched for him. When they realized he was no longer nearby, they went to Capernaum and found him there (John 6:22-24).

The discussion that followed highlights the crowd’s misunderstanding of the Messiah’s purpose. They compared Jesus to Moses because it seemed like manna from heaven. They said, “Sir, give us this bread always” (John 6:35). What a deal! Hang out with Jesus, and he will feed you. But Jesus had come to give eternal life. They wanted their stomachs filled; Jesus came to satisfy their souls forever. 

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst’” (John 6:35).  

The Messiah stood before them. But he wasn’t the Messiah they expected. ^“After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him” (John 6:66).

Let’s explore six important takeaways from this passage:

Listen Up!
When Jesus wanted to emphasize a point, he often began with the words: “Truly, truly, I say to you…” The call to “listen up” appears four times in this chapter (John 6:26, 32, 47, 53). Jesus shares truths that we shouldn’t ignore. 

It’s Not About Works
Jesus explained to the people that he had something to give them that was imperishable. He said:

John 6:27-28
“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”  

Today, many people hold a “works-based” view of salvation. With this perspective, they believe salvation is earned personally through good deeds, hoping that their good works will outweigh their bad ones. Essentially, they think they can save themselves. They overlook the part about the Son of Man providing spiritual food that “endures to eternal life.” God has placed his seal of approval on Jesus. Salvation is entirely God’s work.

It’s about the Work of God
Jesus emphasized multiple times that knowing him as Savior is the work of God.

John 6:44-45
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 

The prophet Isaiah reiterated that no one, based on their merit, is, or can be, right with God. The apostle Paul clearly taught that, on our own, we do not seek after God. No one “is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God” (Rom. 3:10-11).

No one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws them.  Jesus said, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37).

Here we encounter the theological tension between God’s sovereignty and humanity’s responsibility. God works in the human heart, and we are called to believe. We will continue to consider this tension throughout the book of John.

The Bread of Life
The people wanted Jesus to give them bread and fish. They aimed to satisfy their immediate hunger, but food only provides temporary relief to support us physically. Yet Jesus told them he had something much better to offer. He said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). 

Our sinful hearts are in a constant state of spiritual hunger. We attempt to fill the emptiness with temporary things and experiences. But this only provides superficial, fleeting happiness. Jesus offers himself—the only One who can genuinely satisfy the soul and give eternal life.

Recently, Lori and I had friends over and grilled steaks on our Blackstone. The steaks were large, and I usually only eat half of one, but that night I ate the whole thing. I was miserably full and couldn’t eat another bite. Then, as I finished the dessert Lori made, I vowed I would never eat another meal again. But you can guess what happened the next morning. After a sluggish run, I returned to the table for breakfast! We can eat until we're disgustingly full, but the effects never last. 

Jesus provides bread that fully satisfies both now and forever, throughout eternity! Jesus told the crowd, ^“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever” (John 6:51).

Saving Faith
You can have the most delicious food in front of you, but it’s useless unless you partake of it. The same is true for the Bread of Life. We must accept the work Jesus has already done. He explained it like this: “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:29), and “whoever believes has eternal life” (John 6:47).  

Believing in Jesus is not just knowing about him; it involves surrendering our lives to him. There are three parts to genuine belief. First, there is knowledge: we understand who Jesus is and what he accomplished on the cross. Second, we recognize that Jesus alone offers eternal life. Lastly, we trust in Jesus—accepting that his work on the cross provides forgiveness for our sins and grants us an everlasting relationship with the living God. 

“To whom shall we go?”
Jesus often used physical objects to explain spiritual truths. We saw this in his conversation with Nicodemus (“born again”) and the woman at the well (“living water”). He told the crowd, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink” (John 6:53-55). Jesus was not suggesting that people should literally eat his flesh and drink his blood. He was calling for those seeking to take a step toward accepting him and embracing his work on their behalf. His work on the cross, his death—the shedding of his blood—would bring forgiveness of sins and eternal life. 

Realizing that Jesus was not going to feed them every day and confused by his statements about accepting him and his work, many of those who had been following “no longer walked with him” (John 6:66). They said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” (John 6:60) But their leaving was not a surprise to Jesus. John states, “For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him” (John 6:64). 

After their departure, Jesus asked his twelve disciples, “Do you want to go away as well?” (John 6:67)

Simon Peter answered for the group:

John 6:68-69
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.

What an affirmation! Even when we don’t understand, even when obedience is hard, only Jesus is the Holy One of God. Only Jesus has the words of eternal life. Only Jesus satisfies our souls.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on John 6:22-71. So much in this passage!

Talking to God: Tell God that, even when you don’t understand what is happening in your life, you will still trust him. Ask him to help you not let your expectations become obstacles to your faith.

Have Questions?
Please send your questions to our team. We are happy to assist you as we study God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll respond shortly. Let us know if you’d like to learn more about what it means to follow Jesus or if you desire spiritual counsel.

Know Jesus more intimately.
Love Jesus more passionately.
Follow Jesus wholeheartedly.