January 21, 2025 • 25 mins
By mid-January, most New Year’s resolutions have already bitten the dust. 😅 Studies show that nearly 80% of resolutions fail by February, leaving many of us feeling frustrated and stuck in the same patterns. Why is change so hard? Maybe it’s because we’re focusing on surface-level goals rather than addressing deeper, lasting transformation.
We kick off with John 6:35—"I am the bread of life." Bread is central to scripture, life, and culture, and Jesus connects this basic need with the profound truth that He alone sustains us. We revisit the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 and wonder: how could the crowd still question who He was? What does that teach us about faith, doubt, and trust today?
Through personal stories, some humor, and meaningful insights, we dig into how Jesus’ words challenge us to shift from short-lived resolutions to enduring, life-giving transformation.
We dive deeper into Jesus’ profound claim, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), exploring His role as the eternal sustainer of our souls. Just as manna fed the Israelites in the wilderness, Jesus provides the essential nourishment we need—not just for today, but for eternity.
We unpack the connection between belief and life, as highlighted in John 6:29, where Jesus calls us to trust in Him as the unblemished sacrificial lamb and the victorious, resurrected Lord. Much like our daily need for food, a continuous relationship with Jesus is essential for spiritual health and vitality.
Through this lens, we reflect on His unwavering purpose, His invitation to abide in Him, and the transformative power of His teachings. It’s a conversation about finding lasting fulfillment, sustained not by fleeting resolutions, but by the Bread of Life Himself.
Learn More at 109.church
We invite you to join us in this journey of faith. If you would like to learn more about a deeper relationship with God or need someone to pray with, please reach out to us at hello@109.church. We are here to support and encourage you in your spiritual growth.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Matt Brown (00:06):
happy new year, friends, and welcome to the
rooted and grounded podcast,matt wayne.
What's up?
Wayne Miller (00:12):
happy new year.
Hey, same to you, man.
Yeah, glad to be here, man.
Yes, what good way to get thenew year started.
Matt Brown (00:19):
Yes, absolutely, and so I mean by now.
Everyone knows we like to startoff the episode.
It's pretty light-hearted and Iassume that you're thinking
we're going to talk about somecheesy resolutions, like Wayne's
going to take less vacationdays this year False.
Matt Miller (00:35):
Not happening.
Matt Brown (00:37):
Actually another week.
Wayne Miller (00:40):
And maybe one on top of this.
Matt Brown (00:43):
Or that, matt, you're going to cut back on your
text messaging, not?
Wayne Miller (00:47):
happening False, not happening False.
The first one to come nearbeing true to that one.
Matt Brown (00:56):
Or maybe that I'm going to join the welcome
committee this year.
Not happening, false.
Wayne Miller (01:04):
I'll talk to people here.
Well, at least we're about in1,000.
We're three for three.
Yeah, we are.
Matt Brown (01:09):
But instead of resolutions, I want us to talk
about identity, because that'swhat our episode is going to
focus on is really the identityof Christ.
But it takes some work tofigure out who you are, who
you're going to be, where youfit in the world.
And especially like you thinkof the high school years, the
(01:31):
early 20s, oh yeah, really kindof surfer dude.
It takes some time to figureout who you are, and so, guys,
I'm I'm curious do you have anylike either funny identity
crises?
Matt Miller (01:38):
you went through maybe some cringeworthy moments
you look back on and we weretalking about it, one for me,
and I don't even know if it'slike a identity crisis, but I
first day at uh, I moved fromcalifornia to hendersonville and
I was trying to figure outwhere to go, who to hang out
(02:00):
with, and I needed to go to therestroom, but I went into the
wrong restroom, um, so Iimmediately started off as the
guy who went in the girl'sbathroom, so that was not a good
kickoff for my identity, thatone would be hard to live down.
Matt Brown (02:16):
Yeah, not as big a deal today.
I'm glad I brought it back,exactly Right.
Wayne Miller (02:23):
Yeah, exactly.
Matt Miller (02:24):
Um, just now living that down when you want now,
after that.
Wayne Miller (02:31):
After you just shared.
I can't wait for the commentson that.
Yeah, you're going to get litup, Wayne.
Do you have any Nothing to topthat?
No, nothing.
I've always nowhere to go.
Matt Miller (02:48):
All right nothing I've always nowhere to go all
right before we get completelyoff the rails.
Love it, love it so, so what?
Matt Brown (02:55):
what we're going to do really the first two or three
months of the year is look atthe I am statements of jesus and
really looking not so much atthe stories themselves or even
the statements themselves, butlooking at who Jesus is
revealing himself to be and then, from that, having a better
(03:16):
understanding of him.
Then we assess our identitiesand say I can be more like Jesus
in this area or that area, ormaybe you're doing good in an
area.
And so that will be the focusfor this episode and then the
episodes to come, as we lookthrough who Jesus really is.
And so we will start today inJohn, chapter 6, as we think
about his statement that says Iam the bread of life.
(03:37):
And so, if you would, if you'refollowing along, we will read
John 6, verse 35, and it saysJesus said to them I am the
bread of life.
Whoever comes to me shall nothunger, and whoever believes in
me shall never thirst.
So, Matt, give us somebackground on this passage.
I mean, obviously we're pickingup in the middle of something
(03:58):
big going on, but what leadsJesus to make this statement
that he is the bread of life?
Matt Miller (04:03):
Yeah, you know, you think about the beginning of
John six and uh, verse four.
It says the Passover, the feastof the Jews, was near.
Um Jesus lifted up his eyes andsaw a great multitude coming
and he begins a statement thathe's.
You know verse six, after hesays where shall we buy bread
(04:26):
that these may eat?
He said this to test him, forhe himself knew what he was
about to do.
Not only is he going to feed5,000 plus, he's going to talk
about this concept of the beautyof that bread.
And I think you know there's somuch, there's so much in this
(04:46):
when we talk about, you know,them seeing those miracles, but
not recognizing who he is.
I mean, he walks on the sea, inthis part too, you know, in
John 6.
So, like there's a lot that'shappening, especially with this
bread, and I think he sets it upby giving them this idea of
physical nourishment and ablessing for all kinds of people
(05:11):
.
And it's no wonder he says I'mthe bread of life, you know, for
the whole wide world you know.
Matt Brown (05:18):
So, yeah, I kind of get the feeling of like, um,
whenever you get ready to pulloff a big surprise and, like you
know, something big that, noone else does.
Wayne Miller (05:29):
And like as Jesus is talking to the 5,000, he's
just like you'll wait and seewhat the next 24 hours are going
to look like Absolutely yeah,because he knew it was coming.
Matt Brown (05:40):
He knew what was about to happen and even when it
happened, I don't think theapostles and the followers
really picked it up yet.
No, I agree.
Wayne Miller (05:48):
Which is part of his identity.
Yeah, he knew what was coming.
Yeah.
Matt Brown (05:52):
Yes.
So when we think about thebread, obviously bread and life
go hand in hand.
Throughout Scripture, I mean,we see stories like the Passover
, Elijah and the ravens man inthe wilderness, the temptation
of Jesus.
But the conversation begins toshift from bread for a meal to
bread for life.
But a lot of people found thisto be a controversial or
(06:16):
unwelcome teaching.
And so, Wayne, why were thereso many people in the crowd who
scoffed at Jesus declaringhimself as the bread of life in
the crowd who scoffed at Jesusdeclaring himself as the bread
of life.
Wayne Miller (06:29):
You know, I really it seems to me when I read this
whole chapter that they'dreally missed his identity
because they couldn't get offthe physical I think I mean they
were talking about.
Well, won't you give us?
And I think that's the reasonwe see a statement in verse 26.
Before Jesus said I'm the breadof life, he had their attention
.
You know, and we've alwaysknown, that when Jesus says
truly, truly, or you may beready to translate he says
(06:52):
verily, verily.
In other words, that's a doublestatement.
For a reason, I believe he wassetting that up so that they
wouldn't miss that he's a breadof life.
Because what he said to them islook, you've got this all wrong
in 26.
John 6, 26.
I'm saying to you you seek menot because you saw the signs,
but because you ate of theloaves and were filled.
(07:13):
In other words, guys, youmissed it.
You saw the miracles that Mattjust talked about feeding of the
5,000.
They saw that, but they didn'tsee the truthfulness of it.
They didn't see the true signthat is about his identity.
Because they're now thinkingabout hey, man, just give me
some of this bread I'll neverhave to get any more.
I'll never carry more wood into fire up the oven.
(07:36):
I mean, this is nice, righthere, just go ahead and lay it
on me.
And so they're all thinkingabout the wrong thing.
So when jesus says no, wait aminute, you've missed it.
You know verse 33, for the breadof god is that which comes down
out of heaven.
Do what?
Because they're thinking onlytemporary, they're thinking the
(07:56):
physical.
So it seems to me that whenthey got upset, maybe down in
verse 41 and following, and whenhe says I am the bread that
came down out of heaven, they gono, you're not.
We know your family, we knowyour mom and daddy in verse 42.
What do you mean?
You came out of heaven.
And they started grumblingamong themselves because Jesus
(08:17):
is on one plane, they're onanother.
Jesus is about spiritual life,he's about the eternal, not the
temporary and not the physical,and so therefore it was a little
confusing for him.
It was out of their box.
They wanted to be that breadthat they could get a hold of
physically.
Yeah, and jesus said missed itmissed it.
Matt Miller (08:37):
Well, he said I mean verse 27 don't labor for
the food which perishes, but forthe food which endures
everlasting life, which the Sonof man will give you, because
God, the Father, has set hisseal on him.
You could see they're trying toget there.
Wayne Miller (08:55):
Verse 28,.
Matt Miller (08:56):
What shall we do that we may work the works of
God?
Well, then he says, well, okay,y'all, here we go, you're
coming, this is the work of God,you believe in him, who was
sent, and they're like.
And then he makes, then he goesinto this statement about.
It's almost like, and I thinkwe sometimes maybe even have
(09:20):
this struggle too.
I'm willing to hear it until itmaybe becomes a little bit
confusing or challenging ordoesn't kind of fit the way I
thought it was supposed to look.
And then all of a sudden I'mlike what?
That can't be true.
Then you know it's like he getsthem with the miracle, he pulls
(09:42):
them in, and then they'rethinking physical and he says,
no, don't, okay, you see thisphysical blessing.
Well, I'm the guy who made thishappen, but I'm talking about
something deeper than that.
Wayne Miller (09:54):
I can do something deeper for you, because they
saw him as the bread of life,not as a son of God.
That's right, and he makes astatement.
Matt Miller (10:03):
He says which the Son of man will give you,
because God, the Father, has sethis seal on him.
They just didn't.
It's like they just right overthat.
I'm like what?
Wayne Miller (10:14):
Because it seems to me like they had the same
challenge or mistake I oftenmake, and then I think a lot of
us do.
They were only looking at thephysical and the temporary
Always.
God is always concerned aboutsomething deeper than that, and
his identity as the Son of God,the Savior of the world, is he's
always concerned about theeternal, not the physical or the
(10:35):
temporary.
Matt Brown (10:36):
Yeah Well, it's like that song we've started singing
and taken from Psalm 34, tasteand see that the Lord is good.
They tasted, that's right, andthey saw that he was good.
Wayne Miller (10:47):
But their definition of good and Jesus'
definition of good werecompletely different and they
wanted to be filled.
Matt Brown (10:52):
They wanted free lunch.
They wanted I mean lunch for aslong as they lived.
But Jesus is saying I've gotsomething more, and so let's
look at the more that Jesus hasto offer.
Let's go down to verse 47.
(11:27):
It says so, Wayne, let's thinkabout this.
Jesus gets really deep, reallyquickly.
And I think we need to talkthrough two key messages that
Jesus gives here, and so, Wayne,from you.
What is Jesus meaning when hesays that the bread that he will
give is his?
Wayne Miller (11:46):
body.
Okay, well, let's look back atthe verse 47 again.
Notice that double statement,the truly truly.
In other words, he's trying toget their attention again.
Okay, double statement, thetruly truly.
In other words, he's trying toget their attention again.
Okay, it's like I think, matt,you just said a few months ago,
it's kind of like it's zippingright over their heads, like it
does me so many times I'm thebread of life.
But then he makes a contrast.
(12:07):
You know what your fathers,your forefathers, et cetera,
that you're all familiar with.
They've eaten some bread before.
That was called the manna inthe wilderness, right.
And he said but there was aproblem, that was physical, it
was temporary.
Guess what happened to them?
They're dead, they're gone,that's right.
Matt Miller (12:27):
They're gone, they're gone.
Wayne Miller (12:29):
They'd be dead.
Okay.
So he says so, I've got goodnews for you, and the good news
is the same God that gave themthe manna is the same god who
sent me from heaven I'm from.
He's already established thatI'm the one that is from heaven.
And so therefore, he says I'mnot talking about now, we're
talking about that living bread,not that bread of like your
(12:50):
fathers, and that living breadis you've got him in person.
In other words, this is justamazing to me that the giver of
the bread is himself the bread.
It's through his life, throughhis teachings, through his
sacrifice that they could liveforever, not some piece of
little bread or physical breadthat you can get.
(13:11):
It's much deeper than that.
As you said a minute ago, mattB, what was it Curly?
Curly said last year Welcomecommittee yeah welcome committee
there with that hair I noticedthis year hasn't changed
anything, it's still not growing.
Matt Brown (13:31):
Okay, maybe next year Maybe next year.
Wayne Miller (13:33):
We've got 12 more months to see.
Okay, but the bread, guys, it'snot bread.
Matt Miller (13:39):
It's a somebody.
Yeah.
Wayne Miller (13:41):
And the bread is Jesus, the Son of God that came
down from heaven, and he says so.
Therefore, make no mistakeabout this, guys, Do not miss
this that the giver of life tothe world is Jesus.
Matt Miller (13:58):
It's my life, you were saying it.
There's a couple times whereit's like he does so good, just
like a good shepherd.
He helps the sheep have achance to listen, even when
they're confused, and he saystype, you remember what the
Israelites or your fathers didin the wilderness?
(14:22):
What that manna represented?
It was something from God toyou to bless you and to feed you
, and you guys I mean,understand what that bread was
actually doing for the people.
It was supplying something thatthey needed.
Well, just like in that, anytype or corresponding to that.
(14:43):
However, we want to say it,which we see this in the Bible
all the time.
He's doing it right here in themoment I'm that sustainer of
life, I'm the thing that's goingto keep you alive, I'm that
source, I'm the source, right,it's like, and it's my flesh,
it's me, it's my body, I'm theguy and they just I mean, look
(15:07):
at that next statement, verse 52.
The jews therefore quarreledamong themselves, saying how can
this man give us?
They just wouldn't.
It's like they couldn't let goof it, and it's deep and it's
deep.
Matt Brown (15:18):
Well, but really that takes us to the second part
we need to look at, and that iswhen jesus says those who eat
the bread will live forever.
So, man, how does one partakeof jesus to receive eternal life
?
Matt Miller (15:28):
well, I think you know you.
You talk about this idea of uhjesus says it back there um uh.
In verse 29 jesus answered,said to them this is the work of
God, that you believe in him,whom he sent.
So if I'm going to partake ofthat bread and I understand who
(15:51):
Jesus is, then that I mean thisstarts dropping all kinds of
points.
I think the first is you fastforward and you think about the
life of Jesus Christ sacrifice,unblemished lamb, without spot,
without wrinkle.
He did it because he's sayingit here, but when we look back
(16:13):
on it, he proved it right.
He's that propitiation, or thesatisfying sacrifice.
So then the next thing is youthink about Jesus as resurrected
Lord, and he says all power,all authority has been given to
me.
I need you to go out and tellthese people, I need you to tell
them about the gospel, but thenI need you to teach them how to
(16:35):
follow me.
So it's not only the power ofyou know his blood, but it's
also the power of his words,Because he says in verse 63 it's
a spirit who gives life.
The flesh profits nothing.
Wayne Miller (16:49):
The words that I speak are spirit and life and
you think about how did thisbook start in john one?
Matt Miller (16:56):
yep, in the beginning was the word, and the
word was with god and the wordwas god.
Wayne Miller (17:02):
That's right.
The same was in the beginningwith God, and then in verse 14,
and that Word, what happened?
Matt Miller (17:08):
Came flesh.
Wayne Miller (17:08):
Came flesh and lived, fleshed out, among us.
Matt Miller (17:13):
And so when you think about his words of eternal
life, that he is that Word ofGod, Well, and you know you said
that John who writes 1, john,john two, at that beginning
statement he's like we touchedhim, we were around him, we
listened to him and I want youto hear what he said and the
(17:34):
things that he's talking about,because I want your joy to be
full too, because if you eatthis bread you'll be satisfied,
you will get that nutrients thatyou need and it will be able to
sustain you through life,that's.
I mean he says right there inverse 54, whoever eats my flesh
and drinks my blood has eternallife and I'll raise him up on
(17:56):
the last day.
But then he says in verse 56,he who eats my flesh and drinks
my blood abides in me and I inhim, which we know he's going to
go on to talk about.
I'm the vine and you're thebranches.
But he's setting up this ideaof this continual relationship.
And we know that you've got toeat food.
(18:18):
But what did Jesus say?
Man don't live by bread alone,but by every word that proceeds.
So he doesn't exclude the factthat, of course, you got to eat
to survive, but I'm, I'm usingthat thing that you know.
Uh, jews, you understand whatyour fathers ate.
I'm using that example, thatkept them going, just the same
(18:40):
as what I can give to you.
But what I give you, you'llabide forever.
I mean guys, the fathers thatyou had, they're dead, but the
bread that you eat for me, younever die.
Wayne Miller (18:54):
Man, what is happening?
What Jesus is taking them toanother level.
Man, because he knows that hisidentity is the Son of God.
Matt Miller (19:03):
He didn't have an identity crisis.
He didn't he never crisis.
He didn't he never had.
He did not Jesus.
Wayne Miller (19:09):
He said I always came down to do will of the Lord
, I always came.
I know that's not my purpose.
Matt Brown (19:14):
Oh man, come on, so you all actually set up the
transition this time instead ofme.
Matt Miller (19:17):
Oh really, so thank you for that.
We got you.
We're so in sync.
Yeah, we got you.
It's a new year.
Matt Brown (19:22):
It's taken us a year , but we are there, that was a
good one.
I feel like it took like threeepisodes, but we'll make the
joke, okay.
So as we look at each of these.
I am statements of Jesus andlike we said at the beginning
not looking so much at the story, but at who jesus is revealing
(19:46):
himself to be.
So who is jesus revealinghimself to be with these words?
Wayne Miller (19:51):
oh man you know, I just I just want to remind
everyone that don't, please,don't overlook the.
I know we're going to talkabout the seven I ams and this
is the first, but as we go inthe next, you know, look at all
these individually.
I just don't want anybody tomiss the power of those
statements.
I am Because you know we mightuse those statements and just I
(20:11):
am and it just kind of if I'mnot careful, I'm like these
fellows here, just right over myhead.
But I mean Jesus is reallyemphasizing.
It's not just a quick passingby that he is saying, but it's
really important, it's apowerful statement, but it's
more like I, even I.
So I would just encourage allof those viewing in and those
(20:32):
who are listening don't forgetthe power of the statement I am.
We could talk about all the wayback in the book of Exodus, 13,
or chapter 3, rather when Godtold Moses.
So when I look at that, I am, Isee him as the son of god.
When I see him here, bread oflife, yes, but he's the one who
came down from heaven.
(20:53):
So to me, when I read this, onething stands out to me is just
his identity is deity yeah, thethe one thing that I this always
gets me.
Matt Miller (21:05):
Jesus would always use this for his nickname is the
Son of man.
And I think about the power ofthe Son of man phrase from
Daniel 7 when it talks aboutthis idea of the ancient of days
and nobody could stand up tohim, of the ancient of days and
nobody could stand up to him.
But then, in verse 13, I waswatching in the night vision and
(21:27):
behold one like the Son of man,coming with clouds of heaven.
He came to the ancient of daysand they brought him near before
him.
Then to him was given dominionand glory and a kingdom, and all
these people, nations andlanguages serve him.
His dominion is an everlastingdominion which shall not pass
away, and his kingdom, the onewhich shall not be destroyed,
(21:54):
like Jesus, is setting up.
Just like Wayne said, you haveno idea who I am, but I'm about
to show you, and when I show youyou ain't even going to believe
it.
Man, you are going to be in aweof who I am.
And he's so gentle.
I mean.
No doubt he presses in on thePharisees and there's no doubt
that his teachings become stern,but I mean, jesus is so smooth
(22:18):
man in the way that he justlayers, just his teaching.
I just love that man, the masterteacher man.
He's so good.
Matt Brown (22:27):
And those are both such strong parts of who Jesus
is and who he reveals himself tobe.
And I think a big part of thisstory is that it's twofold.
There's the immediacy of it,and Jesus is saying partake of
me, now, follow me.
Follow my teaching, follow myteaching, follow my words.
But then there's almost thatprophetic side where we think
(22:49):
about the Lord's Supper and thisbeing one of those situations
where the apostles would haveprobably gotten it after the
resurrection, no doubt.
And they think back.
This is what Jesus means whenhe says he's the bread of life,
and so I think, as we have thatpiece there, for me I see Jesus
(23:09):
as a giver, because he's givingof himself while he's on the
earth.
He's giving of himself when hegets to the cross.
He is continually giving of whohe is so that we can be part of
him, and I think that is partof his identity.
Matt Miller (23:25):
That we see from this statement yeah, it's that,
john 10, right, I came to giveyou life and I came to give it
to you more abundantly.
Yeah, that's good stuff.
It's good stuff All right guys.
Matt Brown (23:38):
Well, we have, I think, worked through at least
the biggest parts of Jesus asthe bread of life, and I know we
could go on and on about thisstory, but let's start to wrap
things up and make it real.
So, Wayne, start us off thisweek.
Wayne Miller (23:52):
Well, once I read it, I think it's just when he
talks about if you partake of me, you'll never hunger again,
you'll never thirst again.
I mean, guys, this is realsimple One who brings clarity to
life is.
Jesus, that's right.
The giver.
Matt Miller (24:05):
Yeah, I think one of the ones that I just love is
verse 39 and 40.
This is the will of the Fatherwho sent me that of all he has
given me, I should lose nothing,but I should raise it up at the
last day.
And this is the will of him whosent me that everyone who sees
the sun and believes in him mayhave everlasting life.
(24:28):
And I'll raise them up at thelast day.
He talks about the bread oflife.
Sustaining us now, but he talksabout the bread of life is
actually what will raise you upat the last day.
Matt Brown (24:39):
Man, that is man.
Matt Miller (24:41):
Yeah, bread is good Bread is good Bread is good
Bread is good man, and I wouldsay for me receive the gift that
you've been given.
Matt Brown (24:53):
I know, just coming off of Christmas, some of you
probably were exceeded with thegifts you received.
Some of you may have beendisappointed.
You may have already returnedor re-gifted it, but with Jesus
he gives the gift of himself andin turn he gives the gift of
life.
Wayne Miller (25:08):
That's awesome.
Matt Brown (25:09):
And we can't pick and choose which parts of Jesus
we receive.
That's right so receive thegift that he gives and then from
that live the life that hegives.
Wayne Miller (25:18):
Very good.
Matt Miller (25:19):
Good job, guys, man .
Matt Brown (25:21):
Thank you much Thank you.
Thank you to everyone watchingand listening.
We hope you have a great year.
Wayne Miller (25:26):
See, you have a great week.
Matt Brown (25:27):
Take care, see you.
happy new year, friends, and welcome to the
rooted and grounded podcast,matt wayne.
What's up?
Wayne Miller (00:12):
happy new year.
Hey, same to you, man.
Yeah, glad to be here, man.
Yes, what good way to get thenew year started.
Matt Brown (00:19):
Yes, absolutely, and so I mean by now.
Everyone knows we like to startoff the episode.
It's pretty light-hearted and Iassume that you're thinking
we're going to talk about somecheesy resolutions, like Wayne's
going to take less vacationdays this year False.
Matt Miller (00:35):
Not happening.
Matt Brown (00:37):
Actually another week.
Wayne Miller (00:40):
And maybe one on top of this.
Matt Brown (00:43):
Or that, matt, you're going to cut back on your
text messaging, not?
Wayne Miller (00:47):
happening False, not happening False.
The first one to come nearbeing true to that one.
Matt Brown (00:56):
Or maybe that I'm going to join the welcome
committee this year.
Not happening, false.
Wayne Miller (01:04):
I'll talk to people here.
Well, at least we're about in1,000.
We're three for three.
Yeah, we are.
Matt Brown (01:09):
But instead of resolutions, I want us to talk
about identity, because that'swhat our episode is going to
focus on is really the identityof Christ.
But it takes some work tofigure out who you are, who
you're going to be, where youfit in the world.
And especially like you thinkof the high school years, the
(01:31):
early 20s, oh yeah, really kindof surfer dude.
It takes some time to figureout who you are, and so, guys,
I'm I'm curious do you have anylike either funny identity
crises?
Matt Miller (01:38):
you went through maybe some cringeworthy moments
you look back on and we weretalking about it, one for me,
and I don't even know if it'slike a identity crisis, but I
first day at uh, I moved fromcalifornia to hendersonville and
I was trying to figure outwhere to go, who to hang out
(02:00):
with, and I needed to go to therestroom, but I went into the
wrong restroom, um, so Iimmediately started off as the
guy who went in the girl'sbathroom, so that was not a good
kickoff for my identity, thatone would be hard to live down.
Matt Brown (02:16):
Yeah, not as big a deal today.
I'm glad I brought it back,exactly Right.
Wayne Miller (02:23):
Yeah, exactly.
Matt Miller (02:24):
Um, just now living that down when you want now,
after that.
Wayne Miller (02:31):
After you just shared.
I can't wait for the commentson that.
Yeah, you're going to get litup, Wayne.
Do you have any Nothing to topthat?
No, nothing.
I've always nowhere to go.
Matt Miller (02:48):
All right nothing I've always nowhere to go all
right before we get completelyoff the rails.
Love it, love it so, so what?
Matt Brown (02:55):
what we're going to do really the first two or three
months of the year is look atthe I am statements of jesus and
really looking not so much atthe stories themselves or even
the statements themselves, butlooking at who Jesus is
revealing himself to be and then, from that, having a better
(03:16):
understanding of him.
Then we assess our identitiesand say I can be more like Jesus
in this area or that area, ormaybe you're doing good in an
area.
And so that will be the focusfor this episode and then the
episodes to come, as we lookthrough who Jesus really is.
And so we will start today inJohn, chapter 6, as we think
about his statement that says Iam the bread of life.
(03:37):
And so, if you would, if you'refollowing along, we will read
John 6, verse 35, and it saysJesus said to them I am the
bread of life.
Whoever comes to me shall nothunger, and whoever believes in
me shall never thirst.
So, Matt, give us somebackground on this passage.
I mean, obviously we're pickingup in the middle of something
(03:58):
big going on, but what leadsJesus to make this statement
that he is the bread of life?
Matt Miller (04:03):
Yeah, you know, you think about the beginning of
John six and uh, verse four.
It says the Passover, the feastof the Jews, was near.
Um Jesus lifted up his eyes andsaw a great multitude coming
and he begins a statement thathe's.
You know verse six, after hesays where shall we buy bread
(04:26):
that these may eat?
He said this to test him, forhe himself knew what he was
about to do.
Not only is he going to feed5,000 plus, he's going to talk
about this concept of the beautyof that bread.
And I think you know there's somuch, there's so much in this
(04:46):
when we talk about, you know,them seeing those miracles, but
not recognizing who he is.
I mean, he walks on the sea, inthis part too, you know, in
John 6.
So, like there's a lot that'shappening, especially with this
bread, and I think he sets it upby giving them this idea of
physical nourishment and ablessing for all kinds of people
(05:11):
.
And it's no wonder he says I'mthe bread of life, you know, for
the whole wide world you know.
Matt Brown (05:18):
So, yeah, I kind of get the feeling of like, um,
whenever you get ready to pulloff a big surprise and, like you
know, something big that, noone else does.
Wayne Miller (05:29):
And like as Jesus is talking to the 5,000, he's
just like you'll wait and seewhat the next 24 hours are going
to look like Absolutely yeah,because he knew it was coming.
Matt Brown (05:40):
He knew what was about to happen and even when it
happened, I don't think theapostles and the followers
really picked it up yet.
No, I agree.
Wayne Miller (05:48):
Which is part of his identity.
Yeah, he knew what was coming.
Yeah.
Matt Brown (05:52):
Yes.
So when we think about thebread, obviously bread and life
go hand in hand.
Throughout Scripture, I mean,we see stories like the Passover
, Elijah and the ravens man inthe wilderness, the temptation
of Jesus.
But the conversation begins toshift from bread for a meal to
bread for life.
But a lot of people found thisto be a controversial or
(06:16):
unwelcome teaching.
And so, Wayne, why were thereso many people in the crowd who
scoffed at Jesus declaringhimself as the bread of life in
the crowd who scoffed at Jesusdeclaring himself as the bread
of life.
Wayne Miller (06:29):
You know, I really it seems to me when I read this
whole chapter that they'dreally missed his identity
because they couldn't get offthe physical I think I mean they
were talking about.
Well, won't you give us?
And I think that's the reasonwe see a statement in verse 26.
Before Jesus said I'm the breadof life, he had their attention
.
You know, and we've alwaysknown, that when Jesus says
truly, truly, or you may beready to translate he says
(06:52):
verily, verily.
In other words, that's a doublestatement.
For a reason, I believe he wassetting that up so that they
wouldn't miss that he's a breadof life.
Because what he said to them islook, you've got this all wrong
in 26.
John 6, 26.
I'm saying to you you seek menot because you saw the signs,
but because you ate of theloaves and were filled.
(07:13):
In other words, guys, youmissed it.
You saw the miracles that Mattjust talked about feeding of the
5,000.
They saw that, but they didn'tsee the truthfulness of it.
They didn't see the true signthat is about his identity.
Because they're now thinkingabout hey, man, just give me
some of this bread I'll neverhave to get any more.
I'll never carry more wood into fire up the oven.
(07:36):
I mean, this is nice, righthere, just go ahead and lay it
on me.
And so they're all thinkingabout the wrong thing.
So when jesus says no, wait aminute, you've missed it.
You know verse 33, for the breadof god is that which comes down
out of heaven.
Do what?
Because they're thinking onlytemporary, they're thinking the
(07:56):
physical.
So it seems to me that whenthey got upset, maybe down in
verse 41 and following, and whenhe says I am the bread that
came down out of heaven, they gono, you're not.
We know your family, we knowyour mom and daddy in verse 42.
What do you mean?
You came out of heaven.
And they started grumblingamong themselves because Jesus
(08:17):
is on one plane, they're onanother.
Jesus is about spiritual life,he's about the eternal, not the
temporary and not the physical,and so therefore it was a little
confusing for him.
It was out of their box.
They wanted to be that breadthat they could get a hold of
physically.
Yeah, and jesus said missed itmissed it.
Matt Miller (08:37):
Well, he said I mean verse 27 don't labor for
the food which perishes, but forthe food which endures
everlasting life, which the Sonof man will give you, because
God, the Father, has set hisseal on him.
You could see they're trying toget there.
Wayne Miller (08:55):
Verse 28,.
Matt Miller (08:56):
What shall we do that we may work the works of
God?
Well, then he says, well, okay,y'all, here we go, you're
coming, this is the work of God,you believe in him, who was
sent, and they're like.
And then he makes, then he goesinto this statement about.
It's almost like, and I thinkwe sometimes maybe even have
(09:20):
this struggle too.
I'm willing to hear it until itmaybe becomes a little bit
confusing or challenging ordoesn't kind of fit the way I
thought it was supposed to look.
And then all of a sudden I'mlike what?
That can't be true.
Then you know it's like he getsthem with the miracle, he pulls
(09:42):
them in, and then they'rethinking physical and he says,
no, don't, okay, you see thisphysical blessing.
Well, I'm the guy who made thishappen, but I'm talking about
something deeper than that.
Wayne Miller (09:54):
I can do something deeper for you, because they
saw him as the bread of life,not as a son of God.
That's right, and he makes astatement.
Matt Miller (10:03):
He says which the Son of man will give you,
because God, the Father, has sethis seal on him.
They just didn't.
It's like they just right overthat.
I'm like what?
Wayne Miller (10:14):
Because it seems to me like they had the same
challenge or mistake I oftenmake, and then I think a lot of
us do.
They were only looking at thephysical and the temporary
Always.
God is always concerned aboutsomething deeper than that, and
his identity as the Son of God,the Savior of the world, is he's
always concerned about theeternal, not the physical or the
(10:35):
temporary.
Matt Brown (10:36):
Yeah Well, it's like that song we've started singing
and taken from Psalm 34, tasteand see that the Lord is good.
They tasted, that's right, andthey saw that he was good.
Wayne Miller (10:47):
But their definition of good and Jesus'
definition of good werecompletely different and they
wanted to be filled.
Matt Brown (10:52):
They wanted free lunch.
They wanted I mean lunch for aslong as they lived.
But Jesus is saying I've gotsomething more, and so let's
look at the more that Jesus hasto offer.
Let's go down to verse 47.
(11:27):
It says so, Wayne, let's thinkabout this.
Jesus gets really deep, reallyquickly.
And I think we need to talkthrough two key messages that
Jesus gives here, and so, Wayne,from you.
What is Jesus meaning when hesays that the bread that he will
give is his?
Wayne Miller (11:46):
body.
Okay, well, let's look back atthe verse 47 again.
Notice that double statement,the truly truly.
In other words, he's trying toget their attention again.
Okay, double statement, thetruly truly.
In other words, he's trying toget their attention again.
Okay, it's like I think, matt,you just said a few months ago,
it's kind of like it's zippingright over their heads, like it
does me so many times I'm thebread of life.
But then he makes a contrast.
(12:07):
You know what your fathers,your forefathers, et cetera,
that you're all familiar with.
They've eaten some bread before.
That was called the manna inthe wilderness, right.
And he said but there was aproblem, that was physical, it
was temporary.
Guess what happened to them?
They're dead, they're gone,that's right.
Matt Miller (12:27):
They're gone, they're gone.
Wayne Miller (12:29):
They'd be dead.
Okay.
So he says so, I've got goodnews for you, and the good news
is the same God that gave themthe manna is the same god who
sent me from heaven I'm from.
He's already established thatI'm the one that is from heaven.
And so therefore, he says I'mnot talking about now, we're
talking about that living bread,not that bread of like your
(12:50):
fathers, and that living breadis you've got him in person.
In other words, this is justamazing to me that the giver of
the bread is himself the bread.
It's through his life, throughhis teachings, through his
sacrifice that they could liveforever, not some piece of
little bread or physical breadthat you can get.
(13:11):
It's much deeper than that.
As you said a minute ago, mattB, what was it Curly?
Curly said last year Welcomecommittee yeah welcome committee
there with that hair I noticedthis year hasn't changed
anything, it's still not growing.
Matt Brown (13:31):
Okay, maybe next year Maybe next year.
Wayne Miller (13:33):
We've got 12 more months to see.
Okay, but the bread, guys, it'snot bread.
Matt Miller (13:39):
It's a somebody.
Yeah.
Wayne Miller (13:41):
And the bread is Jesus, the Son of God that came
down from heaven, and he says so.
Therefore, make no mistakeabout this, guys, Do not miss
this that the giver of life tothe world is Jesus.
Matt Miller (13:58):
It's my life, you were saying it.
There's a couple times whereit's like he does so good, just
like a good shepherd.
He helps the sheep have achance to listen, even when
they're confused, and he saystype, you remember what the
Israelites or your fathers didin the wilderness?
(14:22):
What that manna represented?
It was something from God toyou to bless you and to feed you
, and you guys I mean,understand what that bread was
actually doing for the people.
It was supplying something thatthey needed.
Well, just like in that, anytype or corresponding to that.
(14:43):
However, we want to say it,which we see this in the Bible
all the time.
He's doing it right here in themoment I'm that sustainer of
life, I'm the thing that's goingto keep you alive, I'm that
source, I'm the source, right,it's like, and it's my flesh,
it's me, it's my body, I'm theguy and they just I mean, look
(15:07):
at that next statement, verse 52.
The jews therefore quarreledamong themselves, saying how can
this man give us?
They just wouldn't.
It's like they couldn't let goof it, and it's deep and it's
deep.
Matt Brown (15:18):
Well, but really that takes us to the second part
we need to look at, and that iswhen jesus says those who eat
the bread will live forever.
So, man, how does one partakeof jesus to receive eternal life
?
Matt Miller (15:28):
well, I think you know you.
You talk about this idea of uhjesus says it back there um uh.
In verse 29 jesus answered,said to them this is the work of
God, that you believe in him,whom he sent.
So if I'm going to partake ofthat bread and I understand who
(15:51):
Jesus is, then that I mean thisstarts dropping all kinds of
points.
I think the first is you fastforward and you think about the
life of Jesus Christ sacrifice,unblemished lamb, without spot,
without wrinkle.
He did it because he's sayingit here, but when we look back
(16:13):
on it, he proved it right.
He's that propitiation, or thesatisfying sacrifice.
So then the next thing is youthink about Jesus as resurrected
Lord, and he says all power,all authority has been given to
me.
I need you to go out and tellthese people, I need you to tell
them about the gospel, but thenI need you to teach them how to
(16:35):
follow me.
So it's not only the power ofyou know his blood, but it's
also the power of his words,Because he says in verse 63 it's
a spirit who gives life.
The flesh profits nothing.
Wayne Miller (16:49):
The words that I speak are spirit and life and
you think about how did thisbook start in john one?
Matt Miller (16:56):
yep, in the beginning was the word, and the
word was with god and the wordwas god.
Wayne Miller (17:02):
That's right.
The same was in the beginningwith God, and then in verse 14,
and that Word, what happened?
Matt Miller (17:08):
Came flesh.
Wayne Miller (17:08):
Came flesh and lived, fleshed out, among us.
Matt Miller (17:13):
And so when you think about his words of eternal
life, that he is that Word ofGod, Well, and you know you said
that John who writes 1, john,john two, at that beginning
statement he's like we touchedhim, we were around him, we
listened to him and I want youto hear what he said and the
(17:34):
things that he's talking about,because I want your joy to be
full too, because if you eatthis bread you'll be satisfied,
you will get that nutrients thatyou need and it will be able to
sustain you through life,that's.
I mean he says right there inverse 54, whoever eats my flesh
and drinks my blood has eternallife and I'll raise him up on
(17:56):
the last day.
But then he says in verse 56,he who eats my flesh and drinks
my blood abides in me and I inhim, which we know he's going to
go on to talk about.
I'm the vine and you're thebranches.
But he's setting up this ideaof this continual relationship.
And we know that you've got toeat food.
(18:18):
But what did Jesus say?
Man don't live by bread alone,but by every word that proceeds.
So he doesn't exclude the factthat, of course, you got to eat
to survive, but I'm, I'm usingthat thing that you know.
Uh, jews, you understand whatyour fathers ate.
I'm using that example, thatkept them going, just the same
(18:40):
as what I can give to you.
But what I give you, you'llabide forever.
I mean guys, the fathers thatyou had, they're dead, but the
bread that you eat for me, younever die.
Wayne Miller (18:54):
Man, what is happening?
What Jesus is taking them toanother level.
Man, because he knows that hisidentity is the Son of God.
Matt Miller (19:03):
He didn't have an identity crisis.
He didn't he never crisis.
He didn't he never had.
He did not Jesus.
Wayne Miller (19:09):
He said I always came down to do will of the Lord
, I always came.
I know that's not my purpose.
Matt Brown (19:14):
Oh man, come on, so you all actually set up the
transition this time instead ofme.
Matt Miller (19:17):
Oh really, so thank you for that.
We got you.
We're so in sync.
Yeah, we got you.
It's a new year.
Matt Brown (19:22):
It's taken us a year , but we are there, that was a
good one.
I feel like it took like threeepisodes, but we'll make the
joke, okay.
So as we look at each of these.
I am statements of Jesus andlike we said at the beginning
not looking so much at the story, but at who jesus is revealing
(19:46):
himself to be.
So who is jesus revealinghimself to be with these words?
Wayne Miller (19:51):
oh man you know, I just I just want to remind
everyone that don't, please,don't overlook the.
I know we're going to talkabout the seven I ams and this
is the first, but as we go inthe next, you know, look at all
these individually.
I just don't want anybody tomiss the power of those
statements.
I am Because you know we mightuse those statements and just I
(20:11):
am and it just kind of if I'mnot careful, I'm like these
fellows here, just right over myhead.
But I mean Jesus is reallyemphasizing.
It's not just a quick passingby that he is saying, but it's
really important, it's apowerful statement, but it's
more like I, even I.
So I would just encourage allof those viewing in and those
(20:32):
who are listening don't forgetthe power of the statement I am.
We could talk about all the wayback in the book of Exodus, 13,
or chapter 3, rather when Godtold Moses.
So when I look at that, I am, Isee him as the son of god.
When I see him here, bread oflife, yes, but he's the one who
came down from heaven.
(20:53):
So to me, when I read this, onething stands out to me is just
his identity is deity yeah, thethe one thing that I this always
gets me.
Matt Miller (21:05):
Jesus would always use this for his nickname is the
Son of man.
And I think about the power ofthe Son of man phrase from
Daniel 7 when it talks aboutthis idea of the ancient of days
and nobody could stand up tohim, of the ancient of days and
nobody could stand up to him.
But then, in verse 13, I waswatching in the night vision and
(21:27):
behold one like the Son of man,coming with clouds of heaven.
He came to the ancient of daysand they brought him near before
him.
Then to him was given dominionand glory and a kingdom, and all
these people, nations andlanguages serve him.
His dominion is an everlastingdominion which shall not pass
away, and his kingdom, the onewhich shall not be destroyed,
(21:54):
like Jesus, is setting up.
Just like Wayne said, you haveno idea who I am, but I'm about
to show you, and when I show youyou ain't even going to believe
it.
Man, you are going to be in aweof who I am.
And he's so gentle.
I mean.
No doubt he presses in on thePharisees and there's no doubt
that his teachings become stern,but I mean, jesus is so smooth
(22:18):
man in the way that he justlayers, just his teaching.
I just love that man, the masterteacher man.
He's so good.
Matt Brown (22:27):
And those are both such strong parts of who Jesus
is and who he reveals himself tobe.
And I think a big part of thisstory is that it's twofold.
There's the immediacy of it,and Jesus is saying partake of
me, now, follow me.
Follow my teaching, follow myteaching, follow my words.
But then there's almost thatprophetic side where we think
(22:49):
about the Lord's Supper and thisbeing one of those situations
where the apostles would haveprobably gotten it after the
resurrection, no doubt.
And they think back.
This is what Jesus means whenhe says he's the bread of life,
and so I think, as we have thatpiece there, for me I see Jesus
(23:09):
as a giver, because he's givingof himself while he's on the
earth.
He's giving of himself when hegets to the cross.
He is continually giving of whohe is so that we can be part of
him, and I think that is partof his identity.
Matt Miller (23:25):
That we see from this statement yeah, it's that,
john 10, right, I came to giveyou life and I came to give it
to you more abundantly.
Yeah, that's good stuff.
It's good stuff All right guys.
Matt Brown (23:38):
Well, we have, I think, worked through at least
the biggest parts of Jesus asthe bread of life, and I know we
could go on and on about thisstory, but let's start to wrap
things up and make it real.
So, Wayne, start us off thisweek.
Wayne Miller (23:52):
Well, once I read it, I think it's just when he
talks about if you partake of me, you'll never hunger again,
you'll never thirst again.
I mean, guys, this is realsimple One who brings clarity to
life is.
Jesus, that's right.
The giver.
Matt Miller (24:05):
Yeah, I think one of the ones that I just love is
verse 39 and 40.
This is the will of the Fatherwho sent me that of all he has
given me, I should lose nothing,but I should raise it up at the
last day.
And this is the will of him whosent me that everyone who sees
the sun and believes in him mayhave everlasting life.
(24:28):
And I'll raise them up at thelast day.
He talks about the bread oflife.
Sustaining us now, but he talksabout the bread of life is
actually what will raise you upat the last day.
Matt Brown (24:39):
Man, that is man.
Matt Miller (24:41):
Yeah, bread is good Bread is good Bread is good
Bread is good man, and I wouldsay for me receive the gift that
you've been given.
Matt Brown (24:53):
I know, just coming off of Christmas, some of you
probably were exceeded with thegifts you received.
Some of you may have beendisappointed.
You may have already returnedor re-gifted it, but with Jesus
he gives the gift of himself andin turn he gives the gift of
life.
Wayne Miller (25:08):
That's awesome.
Matt Brown (25:09):
And we can't pick and choose which parts of Jesus
we receive.
That's right so receive thegift that he gives and then from
that live the life that hegives.
Wayne Miller (25:18):
Very good.
Matt Miller (25:19):
Good job, guys, man .
Matt Brown (25:21):
Thank you much Thank you.
Thank you to everyone watchingand listening.
We hope you have a great year.
Wayne Miller (25:26):
See, you have a great week.
Matt Brown (25:27):
Take care, see you.
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