April 18, 2012 – John 6:16 - 6:51

John 6:16, The Apostles went down to the sea.  This is an allusion to Psalm 107.  “23Some went off to sea in ships, plied their trade on the deep waters. They saw the works of the LORD, the wonders of God in the deep. He commanded and roused a storm wind; it tossed the waves on high. They rose up to the heavens, sank to the depths; their hearts trembled at the danger. They reeled, staggered like drunkards; their skill was of no avail. In their distress they cried to the LORD, who brought them out of their peril; He hushed the storm to silence, the waves of the sea were stilled. They rejoiced that the sea grew calm, that God brought them to the harbor they longed for. Let them thank the LORD for his mercy, such wondrous deeds for the children of Adam.  Let them extol him in the assembly of the people, and praise him in the council of the elders.”

This is a clear that it is put in front of the Eucharistic discourse to show that Christ has control over the material world.  The Apostles would have know this Psalm, would have made the connection.  Those that read John would know the connection.

It is interesting that Jesus says to do the work of God (27), they ask what works (plural) we must do (28), and He responds the work of God is to believe.  They are looking for a multitude of things.  Christ tells them there is one work, to believe in who God sent.

It is amazing that they are challenging Him.  They ask for a sign the day after He fed 5000. 

32 – It was not Moses who gave (past), God gives (present) True Bread.  So they want this bread, same as the woman at the well wanting water that never ends. 

37 – Different translations use the term cast out.  This draws an allusion to Eden and the tree of Good and Evil.  Christ is the Tree of Life and the Garden is being reopened through Christ. 

40 – Is an allusion to the bronze serpent from Moses.

45 – All that listen to God, come to me.  Everyone who is open to God fully will eventually become a follower of Jesus. 

There is a change that occurs at verse 51.  Throughout this, Jesus has said “I am the Bread of Life”.  After 51 it changes to I am the “Living” Bread.  The change is small but significant.  This forces them to think that He was alluding to symbol or back to eating Wisdom that He is not saying that.  He is teaching something much more personal to Himself and the “Bread” that He is teaching on is something new and unlike what they have ever had before.