In John 6:35-40, Jesus reveals Himself as the Messiah. He does this by communicating some very important truths to His listeners. They include Him being the bread of life, their need to respond to the gospel, and the basis of life; which includes His divine sovereignty regarding their faith, and the security of those who believe.

It has been said that Jesus’ claim to be “the bread of life” is the most important part of this passage. We can interpret the subsequent statements by this introductory statement. Jesus equates believing and getting saved with eating and drinking. He is our spiritual lifeblood. Without Him, there is no salvation and there is no spiritual life.

We also find one of the seven, recorded “I AM” statements in this passage. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life.” We see the significance in this statement as we analyze it in the light of other scriptures, such as Exodus 3:14 where God calls Himself “I AM” and Jesus’ words in John 8:58, where He said, “Before Abraham was, I AM.”

After Jesus reveals Himself as the bread of life, He emphasizes the need to come to Him. People will hunger and thirst for earthly sustenance and they will decide to eat and drink. If they do not, then they will not be filled. The same is true with those who partake of the bead of life. They must decide to eat and drink of the Savior or they will die. Jesus does not force His way into your life. He is a gentleman and He stands at the door and knocks (see Revelation 3:20). It is up to each person to choose Christ and let His spiritual food fill them and save them.

God does not oppose those who come to Him through Jesus Christ. He is not arbitrary in His desire to let people come to Him. On the contrary, He loves everyone and wants them to come to Him, eat the spiritual food that He provides, and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation.

Another wonderful aspect of God’s sovereignty is that it does not violate the human will. Although God has predestined us before the foundation of the world, He allows sinners to each choose Him or reject Him. He even knows who will be saved and who will not be saved because He knows all things.

Jesus further emphasizes the sovereignty of God by giving us the doctrine of eternal security. There are two statements in this passage in John that indicate the salvation of a believer is secure and that eternal life begins when one gets saved on Earth. These statements include, “whoever comes to me I will never drive away” and “I shall lose none of all that He has given me.” Throughout the ages, these verses have been a comfort to those who have worried about losing their salvation. Jesus makes it clear here and in chapter 10 that we cannot lose eternal life. Logically, how could one lose a gift that is eternal, anyway? John 10:28 and 29 confirm this doctrine as Jesus says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

Jesus spoke like no one else. His words in John chapter 6 reveal that He is the Messiah. No other person sent from God would claim to be the bread of life, able to secure the salvation of those who trust in Him. These facts also work against the “good man” argument that some people use to describe Jesus’ character. A good man would not say such things, but only God’s Messiah, Jesus Christ would and could make these claims.