Food For Thought: John 6:35 Revisited

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

In the previous post I explored the hypothetical scenario that would result if we did not hunger or thirst anymore. In my fallen (yet redeemed) state I know that I would misuse the "freedom" of perfect satiation. Today I want to reflect upon the paradox of Jesus' words: those who do come and believe still "hunger" and "thirst" ... why is that? What does he mean?

'Agia Pneuma come ... illuminate the word that I may know the Son ... that I may see the Father ... that I may glorify the Trinity, the eternal community of Mono Theos.

What does it mean for Jesus to say that if we come to him and believe in him that we will be satisfied?

Earlier in the context the Jesus had fed a multitude through miraculous multiplication. The people attempted to make him king, but Jesus withdrew. Upon finding him again, the Jesus reprimanded them for seeking him not for "signs" but because they had eaten their fill from the loaves. In other words, they were "coming" to Jesus solely to satisfy the physical discomfort of hunger. Jesus tells them to "work" for another kind of food. A food that He alone can give. "What is this work?" the people inquire. "Believe in me," responds Jesus. In sum, we are to do the hard "work" of believing in Jesus. That's it. But this is not a human initiative or humanly powered, for Jesus gives us this "work," that is he grants us the faith to believe.

I begin there, because I think it works like this. We are to work at believing in Jesus ... this work/faith is given to us enabling us to believe. As we grow in our faith, Jesus becomes more satisfying. Why am I still "hungry?" It is because I lack faith. I do not believe in Jesus, thus I need him to give me this work/faith/food that I may be filled (by the food), strengthened (by the faith) and zealous (for the work). Christ must become our greatest treasure. This is the only way we can be satisfied and so bring God the greatest glory and us the greatest joy!