Trey H. Little

Sermon Text:  John 6: 25-59

May 22, 2011

Albany, Texas

“Is Bread on your Diet?

Open your Bibles to John 6:35 as we will take a look at another one of Jesus’ “I am” statements.

            The headline read:  “Stephen Hawking says afterlife is a fairy story.”  Renowned physicist Stephen Hawking recently explained his belief that there is no God and that humans should therefore seek to live the most valuable lives they can while on Earth.  Hawking was asked if he feared death and this was his response:  “I have lived with the prospect of an early death for the last 49 years.  I’m not afraid of death, but I’m in no hurry to die.  I have so much I want to do first.  I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail.  There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.”  A closing question in the report was:  “So if everyone is destined to power-down like computers at the end of their lives, what should humans do to lend meaning to their experience?  Hawking responded:  “We should seek the greatest value of our action” (The Lookout, Liz Goodwin, Yahoo News, May 16, 2011).

            This may come as a surprise to you—but I flat disagree with Hawking!

            However, the reality is that one, if not careful, may buy into his theory.  I mean, if you think about it, “we should seek the greatest value of our action.”  It makes some sense to “seek to live the most valuable lives we can while on this Earth.”  However, I am convinced that in order to do this Bread better be on our diets.

I should remind you of the context of this portion of the Gospel of John.  Chapter 6 began with “great crowds” following and gathering around Jesus “because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick.”  As Jesus was sitting on a mountainside with His disciples He looked up and saw the great crowd of people coming and said to Phillip:  “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”  Verse 6 tells us that Jesus asked this question in order to “test” Phillip.  Jesus already knew what He was going to do.  Jesus was going to provide what was needed for all the people.

Well you know the rest of the story—Jesus used “five small barley loaves and two small fish” to feed over five thousand people—and there was some left over—all of which, not surprisingly, left the people amazed.

Jesus then retreated to a mountain to be by Himself; His disciples loaded up into a boat and headed across the lake to Capernaum—only to later be startled by Jesus walking on water right toward them—resulting in their giving Jesus a ride to the shore.  The next morning—the great crowd finally figured out where everyone had gone and they too made their way across the lake. 

That’s where we pick up the story.  The “great crowd” was longing for more “miraculous signs” from Jesus.  He had provided such a wonderful free meal for them earlier—they thought perhaps He had something else up His sleeve.  However, what they didn’t realize is that the real miracle WAS Jesus.  In other words, they had fixed their eyes so firmly on the loaves that they failed to see The Bread.  They were so intent on the loaves themselves that they had not yet seen who made them.  Jesus knew, even if they didn’t, that their needs were much deeper.  Jesus knew that what would truly satisfy their hunger was not more barley but it was the sustaining presence of Him in their lives.  The bread that fills the stomach is not The Bread that fills the soul.  The bread that fills the stomach last for a short time but The Bread of life lasts an eternity.  Jesus is basically saying that people should not be following Him because He provides free lunch but because He provides what is needed to truly live. 

One of my favorite burgers in Albany, TX is the Dunagan burger at The Beehive.  I love the juicy hamburger patty that is topped with tomato, onion, jalapenos, and a slice of melted cheese.  I’m telling you, my mouth is watering as I think about it.  However, I confess, I have never eaten a Dunagan burger with the bun.  I always order the burger with no bread.  Now, here is my reasoning—I think if I eat this juicy burger without bread it is better for me.  If I take the bread out of my diet—then I will soon be a picture of health.  In fact, very seldom do I eat any bread.  

Sometimes I wonder if those of us who claim to be Christians use similar reasoning.  I wonder if we all too often think if we just keeping DOING things for the Lord—if we just tackle another “juicy” project; or share a quarter-pound of all the right words—then we will “satisfy” God.  But here is my concern—if we do this with no Bread—then are we really being nourished?  Are we really yielding our wills, our desires, our plans, our strengths, our weaknesses to Christ’s direction and safekeeping? 

The crowds wanted a daily supply of physical bread—Jesus desires to daily provide for our spiritual needs.  The people desired more of things that would perish—Jesus wanted to provide the food “that endures to eternal life.”  The people wanted now—Jesus desired to provide both now and forevermore.  The people wanted instant gratification—Jesus offered lasting gratification. 

So I ask you, “Is the Bread of Life on your diet?”

You see, bread sustains life—but quite frankly, life is so much more than physical existence.  Life is certainly so much more than a “fairy story.”  True life is found only in a relationship with God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.  Listen, there are many people who exist in this world—in fact, there are many people in the life of the church who seemingly “exist.”  However, there is a difference between “existing” and “living.” 

When we feed on the Bread of Life—we are promised LIFE.  LIFE that is full not empty.  LIFE that has purpose and meaning.  LIFE where the restless soul is at rest and the hungry heart is satisfied.  LIFE where the anxious spirit finds peace.  When Bread is on our daily diet we can trust that Jesus will forever provide the essentials for LIFE. 

So—do you want to experience LIFE or do you want to miss LIFE?

Again I ask you, “Is Bread on your diet?”

Over 13 different times in our text this morning Jesus claims He gives life—both now and forevermore.  He says things such as, “but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”  Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”  “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”  “I tell you the truth; he who believes has everlasting life.  I am the bread of life.”

I wonder if Stephen Hawking has read John 6.

Friends, listen, you and I can continue to choose to order our spiritual meals without bread—but if we do, we will soon realize that it is far from healthy.  In fact, I would venture to say that if the Bread of life is not on our daily diets we will most certainly GAIN weight.  We will gain the weight of our sin; our problems; our concerns; our decisions; our needs; our imperfections; our pride; our selfishness—and this will soon lead to obesity of self which is surely going to result in lifelessness.

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

            So I ask you, “Is Bread on your diet?”

Casting Crowns, one of my favorite contemporary Christian recording groups, has a new song that is being played a lot on Christian radio right now.  It is called, “Glorious Day.”  The chorus of this song has been stuck in my head for days—after studying John 6 I think I now know why.

Listen to the words of the chorus:  “Living, He loved me.  Dying He saved me.  Buried, He carried my sins far away.  Rising, He justified freely forever.  One day He’s coming.  Oh glorious day, oh glorious day.”

Friends, one day He is coming.  Contrary to what some thought—it was not May 21, 2011—but there is no doubt—one day Jesus is coming.

My question for us today is this:  “When He comes, will Bread be on our diets?”

I sure hope so!
            AMEN.