27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
The bread of life discourse took place in the synagogue in Capernaum (Jn 6:59). That discourse may have begun in verse 27.
27 Do not labor for the food which perishes [spoils],
Jesus rebuked the Jews for their singular pursuit of food that only temporarily satisfies the body. Physical food only lasts for a time, but spiritual food lasts into eternity. This phrase should be translated, “Stop working for….” They were already operating on a system of values that was not God’s.
but for the food which endures to everlasting life,
The food that Jesus offered will last forever; it “endures to everlasting life.” Physical food can never fill the void in the heart. Instead, they were to trust God with food that sustains eternal life.
which the Son of Man will give you,
The “Son of Man” title shows Jesus in His incarnation.
The Son of Man operates in grace—He “will give” eternal life to those who believe on Him (Jn 6:51). Eternal life is a gift; it is not something that man can earn.
because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
A “seal” was used to indicate identity and approval. People sealed something authentic using rings, for example, by pressing on wet clay or hot wax. This showed identity of property and ratification of ownership. The Father validated or set His approval on the sign that Jesus gave of feeding the 5,000 men. They had an authentic sign from the Father.
The testimony of the Son Himself, of John the Baptist, and of the many signs from the Father certified that Jesus was the Messiah. The Father certified the Son as His own agent, authorizing Him as the only one who can bestow eternal life.
The Father put His stamp of approval on the Son. A “seal” was a mark of ownership. He commissioned and authorized the Son for His work in time and space. Jesus’ miracles sealed His authenticity.
PRINCIPLE:
A purely materialistic notion of reality distorts eternal realities.
APPLICATION:
The humanity of Christ had the authority and ratification from the Father to offer salvation.
People who hanker after miracles without biblical substance are not in tune with the will of God. It is our business to pursue eternal things as well as temporal things. The food that Jesus gives endures for eternity.
