We last left Jesus as He entered a boat from the water side, where He had trod across the Sea of Galilee as if walking on land. (John 6:19) The disciples, who had been rowing but not really getting anywhere, had calmed down enough to be happy to see Him and let Him join them in the boat. (v.21) Next thing you 
know, they had arrived at their destination which was Capernaum, top left of the map. They had spent the day in the Tiberius area, which you will find on the map in the middle left of the map. I looked up how big the Sea of Galilee is and from North to South it’s 13 miles long. You can figure that the boys were planning to row about 5 or 6 miles in what the scripture tells us “The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.” (v.18) It also tells us they had rowed about 3 or 4 miles (v.19) and I know from other reading and hearing from those that have been to the Holy Land, this body of water can get treacherous at times.
The disciples had left a large crowd of people who had been fed with a few loaves and fishes. (John 6:2-14) and this being the next day, they found themselves without food or entertainment. The scripture reads thusly: “On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.” (John 6:22-24) These other boats may have been fishermen or maybe news had spread that something big had happened and they had come to see what the deal was. We are only told that these people felt compelled to chase after Jesus. When they had found Him, they questioned Him as to how He had gotten there. (John 6: 25) Jesus had withdrawn to the mountain because He had perceived them about to make a foolish decision. (v.15) Now, He advises them as to their unrepentant hearts: “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” (John 6:26-27) Jesus spoke to them this way because He saw what was in their hearts. Christ is God and is sovereign over all.
These people had a choice to make, continue in their unrepentant ways or believe what He is telling them. For most if not all of them, they were following Him to be fed with perishable food and to be entertained. Even though He spoke to them with authority (Mark 1:22) to their eyes He was just a man, not the Son of Man. (Luke 19:10) “Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” (John 6:28) His answer was thus: “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:28) Simple, isn’t it? Just believe, a child could do it. And yet they speak the words of their father satan and ask “What sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?” (John 6:30) They had just been fed, maybe up to 20,000 of them, with a few loaves and fishes (v. 11) and had knowledge of healing and demons cast out and now they are asking for a sign. As it is written, they claimed “He gave them bread from heaven to eat” (John 6:31) Jesus corrects them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John 6:32-33)
They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” (John 6:34) It is basically the same thing the woman at the well had said in John 4:15. We always want convenience, don’t we? Provide for us so we may not have to toil for anything, really. There was no repentance in their hearts, just a want.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:35-40)
This is a good place to end this study. I want you to read those last verses a couple of times. Christ is the bread of life. Anyone who believes in Him will be raised up on the last day. Simple to understand but why is it so hard for people to accept? He is the bread of life, (John 6:51) whoever comes to Him will not hunger. Trust in God to provide, (Proverbs 3:5 ) not man or the government. When you believe in Christ, it’s not a head thing, it involves the heart. You are transformed, (2 Peter 1:2-4) you are convicted and repentant. You don’t get that by just sitting in the pew most Sundays and going home and living as you see fit. You don’t get that by doing things because you think that’s what good people do. That’s what the Pharisees thought too and they hated Jesus for He showed them the unrighteousness of their hearts. You don’t want to get caught in a works based theology: https://www.gotquestions.org/salvation-by-works.html, where you do things to earn God’s love. He loved you before you (1 John 4:19) became what you are now. Nothing you do will work or take the place of just believing and trusting in God for all things. Live not in fear, for what is there to fear with a Father is sovereign over all? Death has been conquered by Christ (Hebrews 2:14) and Christ is your only hope. Bring all your fears and worries to the cross and leave them there.
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:17-18). Those deeds come from He who indwells us and are called fruits of the Spirit. Look into your life and find those Spirit based fruits and while you’re there, search for the joy that comes with salvation. It’s there, I guarantee it.
2 Peter 3 18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.