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Last Sunday we read about Jesus startling the crowd by saying, “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever.” This was not the first surprising statement Jesus had made. Earlier he had said, “What God wants you to do is to believe in the one he has sent.” No wonder the crowd began to complain.

They had been thrilled to have Jesus provide a free meal in a deserted place but now he was not being practical and he spoke as if what he said was the truth and nothing but the truth. His words caused confusion, they were impractical, certainly not what they had expected him to teach. The crowd complained, argued with each other, and stopped listening; they stopped being open to learning from Jesus.

Resistance toward Jesus is normal. Ultimately people do not like someone telling them how they should live their life. God has given people the freedom to resist Jesus’ invitation to dine with him. But when they choose not to welcome Jesus they are denying themselves the bread of life which gives real life in this world and in the world to come.

Come, Lord Jesus, come. Let us dine together forever.

Bible Reading: John 6: 51; 6:29, Revelation 3:20.