John 6:51 - Jesus is the Bread of Eternal Life - Are You "Eating" Him? - part one.

John 6:51 - Jesus is the Bread of Eternal Life - Are You 
"Eating" Him? - part one. 

John 6:51 (KJV)  I am the living bread which came down from 
heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the 
bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of 
the world. 

APPLICATION COMMENTARY RE PASSAGE CONTEXT.

The First Of The Great "I AM" Statements Of Christ.

The "I AM" Statements of John's Gospel 
Twenty-three times in all we find our Lord's meaningful "I AM" 
in the Greek text of this Gospel (4:26; 6:20, 35, 41, 48, 51; 8:12, 
18, 24, 28, 58; 10:7, 9, 11, 14; 11:25; 13:19; 14:6; 15:1, 5; 18:5, 
6, 8).  In several of these He joins His "I AM" with seven 
tremendous metaphors which are expressive of his saving relationship toward 
the world.  
1. "I AM the Bread of Life" (6:35, 41, 48, 51). 
2. "I AM the Light of the World" (8:12). 
3. "I AM the Door of the sheep" (10:7, 9). 
4. "I AM the Good Shepherd" (10:11, 14). 
5. "I AM the Resurrection and the Life" (11:25). 
6. "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (14:6). 
7. "I AM the true Vine" (15:1, 5). 
[Believer's SB]

"I AM" is the Greek equivalent of YHWH, Yahweh, the revelatory 
and personal name of God that vitalizes the Old Testament. 
What are the "I am" statements in John, and how do they display 
the deity that Jesus claimed? 
*	"I am the bread of life" (6:35). Jesus is the One who sustains 
physical and spiritual life. 
*	"Before Abraham was born, I am!" (8:58) Jesus is the 
preexistent One, the witness to and source of sacred history. 
*	"I am the Gate for the sheep" (10:7). Jesus provides access to 
God and salvation. 
*	"I am the Good Shepherd" (10:11). Jesus lays down His life for 
us, His sheep. 
*	"I am the Resurrection and the Life" (11:25). Jesus is the 
source and giver of life eternal. 
*	"I am the Way and the Truth and the Life" (14:6). Jesus alone 
provides access to God the Father and all of the Father's good gifts to 
humankind. 
*	"I am" the true vine (15:1). Jesus is the source of spiritual 
vitality. By remaining close to Him we are enabled to bring forth fruit 
and so glorify God. [Victor Bible Background Commentary] 

Manna was given to Israel; so Christ to spiritual Israel. 
(Matthew Henry's Commentary) 

It is interesting to compare the manna to Jesus Christ:
(1) It came from heaven at night; Christ came from heaven when 
men were in darkness. 
(2) It fell on the dew; Christ came, born of the Spirit of God.
(3) It was not defiled by the earth; Christ was sinless, 
separate from sinners. 
(4) It was small, round, and white, suggesting His humility, 
eternality, and purity. 
(5) It was sweet to the taste; Christ is sweet to those who 
trust Him. 
(6) It had to be taken and eaten; Christ must be received and 
appropriated by faith (1:12-13). 
(7) It came as a free gift; Christ is the free gift of God to 
the world. 
(8) There was sufficient for all; Christ is sufficient for all.
(9) If you did not pick it up, you walked on it; if you do not 
receive Christ, you reject Him and walk on Him (see Heb. 10:26-31). 
(10) It was wilderness food; Christ is our food in this pilgrim 
journey to heaven. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines] 

Manna was to be gathered in the morning; and those that would 
find Christ must seek him early. (Matthew Henry's Commentary) 

God provided the food in a way that would also teach the people 
something about their relationship with Him. Every day God gave enough 
food for that day. No one could gather more than a day's supply. 
There had to be a continual, constant dependence on God; [Victor 
Teacher's Commentary]