The Bread of Life: A Consistent Sense of John 6

By Ken Lenz

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“I Am”––two short words, yet expansive in meaning. John 8:58 quotes Jesus as having said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was [born], I am” (ESV). The Apostle John recorded seven “I Am” statements made by Christ as He spoke metaphorically of His relationship to mankind, and more specifically of His relationship to those who would trust in Him. The focus of this essay is on the first metaphorical statement, as Jesus told a Jewish crowd: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Keeping this statement in mind when reading through the rest of the passage is a key to understanding this passage. Teachers and commentators in certain branches of Christendom have interpreted Jesus’ metaphor as referring to the bread and wine of the Eucharist. This leads us to consider two other words that are vital to understanding this passage––and to its key phrase: “I am the Bread of Life.”

“Of life”––again, two short words, yet eternal in meaning. Jesus is the source of eternal, spiritual life. The primary question John 6 answers is, How does a person receive eternal life? Consistency is needed in regard to our understanding the sense of this passage, thus the subtitle “A Consistent Sense of John 6.” This book is based on recognizing the historical context of Jesus’ words, as well as the literary context of comparing Jesus’ various statements within this passage of John 6, with the intention of arriving at the “ABC’s” of interpretation: being accurate, biblical, and consistent. It was approached without bias or preconceived conclusions, being bathed in prayer and meditation on God’s Word.

A sequel e-book is also available, entitled “Branches of the Vine: A Fresh Look at John 15.” It focuses on the seventh of the “I Am” statements of Christ, and also offers a brief commentary on another passage that uses an analogy regarding a vineyard (Matt. 20:1–16). That e-book is also highly recommended; however, this e-book offers an excellent commentary on the first “I Am” statement. The commentary on John 6, in this book, is also included in the more comprehensive book on all seven "I Am" metaphorical statements, entitled "Christ, the I Am"––now available both in print and as an e-book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ken Lenz
• Release date: Jan 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463237311

Ken Lenz

Dr. Kenneth P. Lenz has served for over twenty-five years in church ministries and as a chaplain. He has also served on the religion faculty and Bible/theology faculty of several colleges. Courses Ken has taught include “Understandings of Religion,” “History of Christian Thought,” "Survey of the New Testament," and “New Testament Epistles,” among others. He has also taught “writing intensive” courses to help students in their writing skills. His earned Ph.D. included an emphasis in Eastern Orthodox Church history and liturgy, and he excels in the area of hermeneutics (biblical interpretation). Ken and his wife, Helen, have three grown children: Carrie, Evan, and Bryce.Books by this author include a trilogy published by Xlibris (offered in print and as e-books), which include:- Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism: As Taught in the Scriptures (398 pages)- Confession and Communion: As Taught in the Scriptures (108 pages)- God’s Son “Forsaken,” His Sacrifice “Finished!” (136 pages)E-books by this author published through Smashwords, include:- The Orthodox Church: An Evangelical Perspective- Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism: Expanded Edition- Branches of the Vine: A Fresh Look at John 15- The Bread of Life: A Consistent Sense of John 6- Christ, the "I Am" (in both English and Hindi)- Lordship Salvation: An Evangelical Perspective- Biblical SalvationFor more information, visit www.KenLenz.com

Book preview

The Bread of Life

A Consistent Sense of John 6

Plus an Introduction to

The Seven I Am Statements of Christ’s Character

— and What He Offers Us!

Kenneth P. Lenz

Author of Christ, the I Am

This e-book is a sequel to the e-book

Branches of the Vine:

A Fresh Look at John 15

Agape Book Ministries

Racine, Wisconsin

Copyright 2013 by Kenneth P. Lenz, Ph.D.

ISBN – 9780463237311

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or

by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner

( [e-mail] ).

Brief portions may be quoted within the context intended,

in accordance with standard, ethical writing practices,

as long as the author and this source are properly cited.

Author’s Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Name: Lenz, Ken, author.

Title: The Bread of Life : a consistent sense of John 6 / Ken Lenz.

Description: e-book edition. | Agape Book Ministries, 2019.

Identifier: ISBN – 9780463237311

Subject: LCSH: Jesus Christ.

BISAC: Religion / Christian Theology / Christology.

Classification: LCC BT203 (ebook) | DDC 232-dc23

Smashwords License Statement

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This book may not be resold or given away to other people.

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Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Scriptural quotations in this book are taken from the

English Standard Version.

Copyright 2001 by Crossway, in Wheaton, Illinois.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Italicized emphases are often added by this author.

The cover image by Agorulko was purchased from

Dreamstime and reproduced with licensed permission.

Cover design by Bryce Lenz.

Table of Contents

(hyperlinked to the individual chapters)

Introduction

The Bread of Life – A Commentary on John 6:26–69

1. The True Bread from Heaven

2. I Am the Bread of Life

3. Whoever Feeds on This Bread Will Live Forever

4. Whoever Believes Has Eternal Life

5. Section Summary (6:26–58)

6. The Words of Eternal Life

7. Summary and Conclusion (followed by three discussion questions)

Endnotes

Appendix: A Sample Chapter from the Book Christ the I Am

Brief Author Biography

Introduction

"I Am"––two short