A difficult teaching which caused many to turn away

When Jesus described himself as the ‘bread of life’ it would have sounded strange to many people. This, however, is really a wonderful pointer to what he was coming to do through his death on the cross. It is ‘food’ for all those who recognize that they are sinners and need God’s forgiveness.

Two aspects in particular can be hard for people to take in. Firstly is the fact of his incarnation. His taking on flesh and becoming like us … being born of a woman and living an earthly life. We are told in this passage (v33) that he is the ‘bread’ which came down from heaven.

The second thing is his being a substitute who would make things right between those who trust in him and God. He spoke of the ‘bread’ of his flesh which he gave for the life of the world. These difficult teachings caused many of his followers to leave him because they could not accept him in this way.