Topical Bible: Eternal Life: Results From: Eating the Bread of Life

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Topical Encyclopedia

Eternal life is a central theme in Christian theology, representing the gift of everlasting communion with God. This concept is intricately linked to the metaphor of "eating the Bread of Life," as presented in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospel of John. The Bread of Life discourse provides profound insights into the nature of eternal life and its availability through Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural basis for understanding eternal life as a result of eating the Bread of Life is found in John 6. In this passage, Jesus declares Himself to be the Bread of Life, emphasizing the necessity of coming to Him and believing in Him to attain eternal life. John 6:35 states, "Jesus answered, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.'"

This declaration follows the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, where Jesus uses the physical provision of bread to illustrate a deeper spiritual truth. The crowd seeks Jesus for more physical sustenance, but He redirects their focus to the spiritual nourishment that leads to eternal life. In John 6:51 , Jesus further explains, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh."

Theological Implications

The metaphor of eating the Bread of Life signifies a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It involves more than mere intellectual assent; it requires a wholehearted acceptance and internalization of His teachings and sacrifice. This act of "eating" is symbolic of faith and trust in Jesus as the source of spiritual sustenance and life.

Eternal life, therefore, is not merely an unending existence but a quality of life that begins in the present and extends into eternity. It is characterized by a restored relationship with God, marked by peace, joy, and fulfillment. John 17:3 provides further clarity: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent."

Christological Significance

The identification of Jesus as the Bread of Life underscores His unique role in salvation history. He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament manna, the bread from heaven that sustained the Israelites in the wilderness. Unlike the manna, which provided temporary physical sustenance, Jesus offers eternal spiritual nourishment. His sacrificial death and resurrection are the means by which believers partake in this Bread of Life.

In John 6:53-54 , Jesus emphasizes the necessity of this spiritual participation: "Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." This statement, while challenging, highlights the intimate union with Christ required for eternal life.

Practical Application

For believers, the call to eat the Bread of Life is an invitation to a daily, ongoing relationship with Jesus. It involves regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and the sacraments, particularly the Lord's Supper, which commemorates and participates in the life-giving sacrifice of Christ. This spiritual nourishment empowers believers to live out their faith in a world that often offers counterfeit sources of fulfillment.

In summary, eternal life as a result of eating the Bread of Life is a profound mystery that invites believers into a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a present reality and a future hope, grounded in the person and work of the Savior, who alone satisfies the deepest longings of the human soul.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 6:50-58
This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jesus the Bread of Life.
... different, and something more than what results from human ... one Person whether we
shall or shall not have life eternal. ... He has given the bread of life, and He ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xiv jesus the bread of.htm

John Chapter vi. 41-59
... Him who is greater than we; this results from His ... that cometh down from heaven;"
that by eating it we may live, since we cannot have eternal life from ourselves ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxvi john chapter vi.htm

Discourse on Spiritual Food and True Discipleship. Peter's ...
... ascension into heaven, he showed the results which men ... drink his blood, ye have not
life in yourselves ... eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxiv discourse on spiritual food.htm

The Food of the World
... Christ as the bread of life, and eating His flesh ... success which attends it, and the
results to the ... should not perish, but should have eternal life.' The little ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the food of the world.htm

John vi. 28-30
... And [1261] the expression, "I give eternal life" ( cx28 ... alone; that if they enjoy
not results [1276] here ... the present, despise Him, but look for another life. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xlv john vi 28-30.htm

On Counter Promises.
... hidden with Christ in God, ie, in that eternal life), there will ... minds of those who
hope for such results with a ... the very forms of the bread of life, and the ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter xi on counter promises.htm

Third Sunday after Easter
... of the doctrine of grace without enjoying its happy results. ... for a night the same
inn, eating and drinking ... children of God, heirs of eternal life, citizens of ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday after easter.htm

"Let not Your Heart be Troubled"
... plan to redeem men should achieve only insignificant results. ... vital union that is
represented by eating His flesh ... flesh, that He should give eternal life to as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 73 let not your.htm

Caspar Schwenckfeld and the Reformation of the "Middle Way"
... of spiritual renewal"this eating and drinking ... accomplished, even during Schwenckfeld's
life, impressive results. ... hearts and guides into Eternal Life.[42] But ...
/.../chapter v caspar schwenckfeld and.htm

Feasting on the Sacrifice
... the whole world, and that one of the results of partaking of ... and regulate and unify
all thought and life; and the ... And in that fact that the Eternal Son of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/feasting on the sacrifice.htm