"Everyone who recognizes the Son and exercises faith in him [will] have everlasting life." - JOHN 6:40.
MANY people watch what they eat and to try to exercise regularly in order to stay healthy. Still, they do not expect to live forever. Hoping for that could seem unrealistic and undesirable because of the distress that comes with old age. Nevertheless, Jesus spoke in a positive way about "everlasting life," as indicated at JOHN 3:16 and 5:24.
One day Jesus miraculously fed bread and fish to a crowd of thousands. That was amazing, but what he said the next day was even more astounding. The crowd had followed him to Capernaum, near the shore of Galilee, where he told them that people could be resurrected and enjoy everlasting life. (Read John 6:39, 40.) In view of that, think of you friends and loved ones who have died. Jesus' words indicate that many who have died can be resurrected and that both you and your loved ones can enjoy everlasting life. However, Jesus' further words in John chapter 6 have been hard for many to understand. Let us take a closer look at them.
The crowd at Capernaum saw a connection between the loaves Jesus had recently fed them and manna that Jehovah had provided for their ancestors. In fact, the Scriptures call that manna "bread from heaven." (Psalm 105:40; John 6:31) Jesus used the manna as the basis for what he taught next. Though manna was miraculous provision from God, those who ate it eventually died. (John 6:49) In contrast, Jesus called himself "true bread from heaven," "The bread of God," and "the bread of life. (John 6:32. 33, 35) Jesus pointed to a key difference between the manna and himself. He said: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone wants to eat of this bread he will live forever." (Read John 6:51.) Those Jews were puzzled. How could Jesus claim to have come down from heaven as "the bread" superior to the miraculous manna that God gave their forefathers? Jesus provided an interesting clue when he said: "The bread that I will give is my flesh." What could he have meant? We should want to understand because the answer shows how everlasting life if possible for us and our loved ones. Let us what Jesus meant.
Next time: LIVING BREAD AND HIS FLESH
From the jw.org publications
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