Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. John 6:26
Jesus told those who were looking for Him that the reason they were looking for Him was not because they saw the sign, but because they ate the bread. A casual glance at what Jesus said to these Jews who sought Him will leave one wondering what the difference is between the sign and the bread. Was not the bread the sign and the sign the bread? How could they have eaten the bread, and, yet, not see the sign? From the remark that Jesus made, one is left to conclude that the eating of the bread is one thing, but what the miracle of the multiplied bread symbolized is entirely another thing. So, what was the sign that Jesus expected them to see from the miracle of the multiplied loaves?
In His lengthy discussion with them, Jesus made clear to them what this miracle of the multiplied loaves was meant to show them. The sign was what it signified. He told them that He was the bread of life that gives life to anyone who feeds on Him. Upon this, He invited them to eat His flesh and drink His blood. In the wilderness, their fathers had eaten manna, which they mistook for the bread from heaven, but Jesus made known to them that the bread from heaven was right before them, but sadly, they rejected Him.
Even His disciples could not receive the invitation to eat His flesh and drink His blood, therefore, many ceased to follow Him, wondering why He would ask them to eat His flesh and drink His blood. But unknown to them, Jesus was telling asking them to believe in Him. Believing in Jesus is what it means to feed on His flesh and drink His blood. The sign was that, He, Jesus is the Bread from Heaven, but they only could see the physical bread. Today, Jesus calls on all, as He did to the Jews, to eat His flesh and drink His blood. Even after we have initially believed, we are still required to continue to feed on Christ because the just shall live by faith.
Toni
