John 6:26-71 26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed. 28 They said therefore unto him, What must we do, that we may work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 30 They said therefore unto him, What then doest thou for a sign, that we may see, and believe thee? what workest thou? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat. 32 Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, It was not Moses that gave you the bread out of heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread out of heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34 They said therefore unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35 Jesus said unto them. I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36 But I said unto you, that ye have seen me, and yet believe not. 37 All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 41 The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, I am the bread which came down out of heaven. 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, I am come down out of heaven? 43 Jesus answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me. 46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he that is from God, he hath seen the Father. 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth hath eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world. 52 The Jews therefore strove one with another, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53 Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves. 54 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also shall live because of me. 58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever. 59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. 60 Many therefore of his disciples, when the heard `this', said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it? 61 But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said unto them, Doth this cause you to stumble? 62 `What' then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, are are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him. 65 And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father. 66 Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away? 68 Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we have believed and know that thou art the Holy One of God. 70 Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 Now he spake of Judas `the son' of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should betray him, `being' one of the twelve.

This world is impressed with numbers. Businesses aim for increased sales and customer base; politicians vie for more supporters; and even churches continually want attendance to grow. But Jesus was never impressed with the crowds that followed Him, because He knew what was in their hearts ( John 6:64 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him. ).

The events in today’s passage took place after Jesus had miraculously fed a multitude. As a result, more people paid attention to Him, but when He claimed some difficult truths, many just as quickly abandoned Him.

• Jesus told them not to seek Him for benefits in this life but to come to Him for eternal life ( John 6:26-27 26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed. ).
• He asserted that the Father sent Him to give life ( John 6:28-36 28 They said therefore unto him, What must we do, that we may work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 30 They said therefore unto him, What then doest thou for a sign, that we may see, and believe thee? what workest thou? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat. 32 Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, It was not Moses that gave you the bread out of heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread out of heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34 They said therefore unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35 Jesus said unto them. I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36 But I said unto you, that ye have seen me, and yet believe not. ).
• Jesus claimed He would resurrect all those whom the Father gives Him ( John 6:37-45 37 All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 41 The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, I am the bread which came down out of heaven. 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, I am come down out of heaven? 43 Jesus answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me. ).
• He professed to be the only one who had seen the heavenly Father ( John 6:46 46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he that is from God, he hath seen the Father. ).
• Jesus said He would give His body and blood for those who believe in Him ( John 6:47-55 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth hath eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world. 52 The Jews therefore strove one with another, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53 Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves. 54 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. ).
• He stated that only those who accept Him will have eternal life ( John 6:56-58 56 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also shall live because of me. 58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever. ). 

In essence, Jesus was claiming to be God and the only way of salvation. But verse 66 says “many of His disciples withdrew” as a result of this challenging message. We see the same phenomenon today. Many people are drawn to Jesus because they want a better life but quickly fall away because His exclusive truth claims seem offensive. According to Jesus, the solution is not to water down the message but to speak the truth boldly and trust God to open hearts.

Bible in One Year: Job 5-8 Chapter 5 1 Call now; is there any that will answer thee? And to which of the holy ones wilt thou turn? 2 For vexation killeth the foolish man, And jealousy slayeth the silly one. 3 I have seen the foolish taking root: But suddenly I cursed his habitation. 4 His children are far from safety, And they are crushed in the gate, Neither is there any to deliver them: 5 Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, And taketh it even out of the thorns; And the snare gapeth for their substance. 6 For affliction cometh not forth from the dust, Neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; 7 But man is born unto trouble, As the sparks fly upward. 8 But as for me, I would seek unto God, And unto God would I commit my cause; 9 Who doeth great things and unsearchable, Marvellous things without number: 10 Who giveth rain upon the earth, And sendeth waters upon the fields; 11 So that he setteth up on high those that are low, And those that mourn are exalted to safety. 12 He frustrateth the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. 13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness; And the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong. 14 They meet with darkness in the day-time, And grope at noonday as in the night. 15 But he saveth from the sword of their mouth, Even the needy from the hand of the mighty. 16 So the poor hath hope, And iniquity stoppeth her mouth. 17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. 18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up; He woundeth, and his hands make whole. 19 He will deliver thee in six troubles; Yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. 20 In famine he will redeem thee from death; And in war from the power of the sword. 21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue; Neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. 22 At destruction and dearth thou shalt laugh; Neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. 23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field; And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. 24 And thou shalt know that thy tent is in peace; And thou shalt visit thy fold, and shalt miss nothing. 25 Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, And thine offspring as the grass of the earth. 26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, Like as a shock of grain cometh in in its season. 27 Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; Hear it, and know thou it for thy good. Chapter 6 1 Then Job answered and said, 2 Oh that my vexation were but weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances! 3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas: Therefore have my words been rash. 4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, The poison whereof my spirit drinketh up: The terrors of God do set themselves in array against me. 5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder? 6 Can that which hath no savor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? 7 My soul refuseth to touch `them'; They are as loathsome food to me. 8 Oh that I might have my request; And that God would grant `me' the thing that I long for! 9 Even that it would please God to crush me; That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! 10 And be it still my consolation, Yea, let me exult in pain that spareth not, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One. 11 What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient? 12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass? 13 Is it not that I have no help in me, And that wisdom is driven quite from me? 14 To him that is ready to faint kindness `should be showed' from his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. 15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away; 16 Which are black by reason of the ice, `And' wherein the snow hideth itself: 17 What time they wax warm, they vanish; When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. 18 The caravans `that travel' by the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish. 19 The caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them. 20 They were put to shame because they had hoped; They came thither, and were confounded. 21 For now ye are nothing; Ye see a terror, and are afraid. 22 Did I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present for me of your substance? 23 Or, Deliver me from the adversary's hand? Or, Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors? 24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace; And cause me to understand wherein I have erred. 25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove? 26 Do ye think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind? 27 Yea, ye would cast `lots' upon the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend. 28 Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; For surely I shall not lie to your face. 29 Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous. 30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things? Chapter 7 1 Is there not a warfare to man upon earth? And are not his days like the days of a hireling? 2 As a servant that earnestly desireth the shadow, And as a hireling that looketh for his wages: 3 So am I made to possess months of misery, And wearisome nights are appointed to me. 4 When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? And I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day. 5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; My skin closeth up, and breaketh out afresh. 6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, And are spent without hope. 7 Oh remember that my life is a breath: Mine eye shall no more see good. 8 The eye of him that seeth me shall behold me no more; Thine eyes shall be upon me, but I shall not be. 9 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away, So he that goeth down to Sheol shall come up no more. 10 He shall return no more to his house, Neither shall his place know him any more. 11 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. 12 Am I a sea, or a sea-monster, That thou settest a watch over me? 13 When I say, My bed shall comfort me, My couch shall ease my complaint; 14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, And terrifiest me through visions: 15 So that my soul chooseth strangling, And death rather than `these' my bones. 16 I loathe `my life'; I would not live alway: Let me alone; for my days are vanity. 17 What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him, And that thou shouldest set thy mind upon him, 18 And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, And try him every moment? 19 How long wilt thou not look away from me, Nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? 20 If I have sinned, what do I unto thee, O thou watcher of men? Why hast thou set me as a mark for thee, So that I am a burden to myself? 21 And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust; And thou wilt seek me diligently, but I shall not be. Chapter 8 1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, 2 How long wilt thou speak these things? And `how long' shall the words of thy mouth be `like' a mighty wind? 3 Doth God pervert justice? Or doth the Almighty pervert righteousness? 4 If thy children have sinned against him, And he hath delivered them into the hand of their transgression; 5 If thou wouldest seek diligently unto God, And make thy supplication to the Almighty; 6 If thou wert pure and upright: Surely now he would awake for thee, And make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. 7 And though thy beginning was small, Yet thy latter end would greatly increase. 8 For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, And apply thyself to that which their fathers have searched out: 9 (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days upon earth are a shadow); 10 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, And utter words out of their heart? 11 Can the rush grow up without mire? Can the flag grow without water? 12 Whilst it is yet in its greenness, `and' not cut down, It withereth before any `other' herb. 13 So are the paths of all that forget God; And the hope of the godless man shall perish: 14 Whose confidence shall break in sunder, And whose trust is a spider's web. 15 He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: He shall hold fast thereby, but it shall not endure. 16 He is green before the sun, And his shoots go forth over his garden. 17 His roots are wrapped about the `stone' -heap, He beholdeth the place of stones. 18 If he be destroyed from his place, Then it shall deny him, `saying', I have not seen thee. 19 Behold, this is the joy of his way; And out of the earth shall others spring. 20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, Neither will he uphold the evil-doers. 21 He will yet fill thy mouth with laughter, And thy lips with shouting. 22 They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; And the tent of the wicked shall be no more.