58 This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” 59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.
This concluding argument by Jesus summaries the temporary effect of manna and the permanent effect of the bread that Jesus gives.
6:58
This is the bread
This phrase sums up the entire discourse.
which came down from heaven—
The Son became incarnate in Jesus.
not as your fathers ate the manna,
Jesus as the bread of life offers eternal life, not temporal life like manna.
and are dead.
The fathers of the Jews died in the wilderness.
He who eats this bread will live forever.”
Those who believe in Christ and His work will never die. Appropriation of the bread of life by faith provides eternal life. Participation in Christ’s death by faith gives eternal life.
6:59
These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.
The bread of life discourse took place in the synagogue in Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. The bread of life discourse concludes with a historical note.
PRINCIPLE:
A genuine relationship with the Lord is the difference between eternal life and eternal death.
APPLICATION:
True life is found in Christ (Jn 1:4). A person receives eternal life by personally appropriating what Jesus offered by faith. This results in a constant communion between Christ and the believer.