Episode 155 - "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead" James 2:20-26

20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

This entire chapter of this small letter has been dedicated to James’ argument that “works” are an intrinsic and vital element of “faith.” One cannot have real Christian faith that exists only in ideas or words. Real faith has real evidence. James is going to finish this argument with a couple of illustrations from Jewish history. The point is real faith has always looked like this, and we can see it in the lives of Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish people, and Rahab, a prostitute from a pagan society that responds to the working of the God of the Israelites.

The story of Abraham (originally Abram) began in Genesis 12 when God told Abram to leave his home and go to a place He would show Abram and promised Abram that He would bless him. Abram obeyed God. 

The story continues with God making a covenant promise to Abram in Genesis 15 that God would make Abram the father of many nations. When Abram was 90 years old, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham (Genesis 17), gave Abraham the sign of the covenant, and specified that He would give Abraham and Sarah, his wife, a son through whom He would bring about these many nations.

It’s in Genesis 22 that we find that God commands Abraham to take this one son that he loves and sacrifice him to God. From a human perspective, this makes no sense. How could Isaac be a progenitor to many nations if he’s dead? Yet Abraham appears to immediately respond in obedience by taking Isaac to the place God would show him three days journey away. It’s only at the last moment that God stops Abraham from going through with it. 

The point of James is that real faith is demonstrated by real obedience to God’s specific word. This was not some plan of Abraham thinking in his own mind, “If I sacrifice my son, God will be pleased with me.” Nope. Abraham most certainly did not want to do this since God specified Isaac, “the one you love,” rather than Ishmael, to be sacrificed. Ishmael was a son Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian servant, bore by Abraham. It was only at the last moment that God stopped Abraham from slaying his son. (Gen. 22:12, 15-18) It was God’s test for Abraham, and Abraham passed. 

James adds that Abraham “was called a friend of God.” This can be found in 2 Chronicles 20:7 and again in Isaiah 41:8. Why do you think James adds this detail? I think it’s because, as a friend, one has the good of the other in mind as well as a strong element of trust. Perhaps James shares this to challenge his readers, “Don’t you want to be a friend of God?” If so, you need to trust God, not only in your head but also in your actions. 

James then mentions that this kind of faith was found in someone other than Abraham. We might expect him to mention Abraham’s son Isaac or even Jacob or possibly even David. Instead, James speaks of a non-Jewish prostitute. Rahab was among the people of Jericho, the city that God would destroy when the Israelites marched around its walls for seven days and blew their horns in obedience to God’s instructions. The people of Jericho had heard stories of what the God of Israel had been doing in delivering the Israelites out of Egypt, including parting the Red Sea. It’s obvious from the account in Joshua 2 the King of Jericho is paranoid about the Israelites. Yet, it’s Rahab who hides the Jewish spies and confesses to them, “for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.” (Joshua 2:11) The Israelites spared the lives of Rahab and her family because they acted in obedience to what the LORD was revealing. What she does is no different from what Abraham did.

James completes this argument by saying “the body apart from the spirit is dead” and likens that to faith apart from works. 

I think we’ve established that James is not arguing that one can earn their way to heaven and a friendship with God on their own efforts and merit. The works we are to do are the ones that God has prepared for us that originate from the faith He gives us. We are simply obeying the Lord by following His word. 

James is also not “playing God.” James is not the divine judge of our faith-works, and neither are we. James is challenging us to reflect upon our own profession of faith in the gospel and asking us “Are just saying you believe, or are you following the Lord?”

Prayer: Lord! Lead us into the obedience of the works you have prepared for us this week.

Episode 154 - "Even the demons believe--and shudder!" James 2:18-19

James 2:18   But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 

Chapter two of this letter is about the nature of true Christian faith. It has been interpreted by some as a message that is not consistent with the apostle Paul’s view on faith or other passages in the Bible. Those that interpret it this way believe that James is teaching “faith plus works” for salvation and pursuing the Christian faith in their life. 

I am advocating a “faith that works” interpretation. I would assert that this view is in perfect harmony with Paul’s teaching and that of Scripture as a whole. What is the difference? First of all, I believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are a divine revelation from God and that God’s revelation is consistent and harmonious throughout time. This means that when Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God not of works lest anyone should boast,” Paul is not saying something different than what James is saying in chapter two of his letter. Paul is emphasizing something different than James. Paul is saying that it’s not your own efforts that save you and that even your “faith” is a “gift of God.” Do you see that? Faith itself has a divine source. Paul is focusing on the fact that our salvation comes from God and not from within ourselves and our own effort. 

James, on the other hand, is describing the nature of what that divine gift of faith looks like. Just like a plant or a tree produces a distinctive leaf, flower, or fruit, the Christian faith has a distinctive kind of fruit. That “fruit” is obedience to the Lord’s word. Paul supports this in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” The faith kind of works is God’s works that He intends to work through us. Both in Paul’s theology and James’ theology, all the credit goes to God. We might ask ourselves, “Why would God give us a faith that would only serve as some kind of fact that we hold in our heads and has no power to affect any change or good in our life?” This is James’ argument. 

Look at verse 18, where James uses a hypothetical argument, “You have faith, and I have works.” If I’m understanding this correctly, there is a shallow and cavalier attitude behind this statement. Depending upon the perspective of the person, either side could be grossly wrong. Why? Because a person who makes a claim to have faith, yet their life reveals values and beliefs entirely inconsistent with that claim has absolutely nothing to show for it. There is no substance whatsoever to the claim “I have faith.” On the other hand, the other person may work hard, thinking they are a good person and that God will accept them because of all the “good things” they do. The problem with that is they have no trust in the Lord. They are only trusting in themselves and their own efforts. They have made themselves their own God, deciding what is good. They are not working God’s works. They are working their own works. The point is, as wrong as they may be, at least there is something to show for their belief system. 

James is saying, “What I do will be an outworking and consistent with what I say I believe.” Ideally, the Holy Spirit is leading us in working the works God has prepared for us.

Now James gives us another statement that is interesting but serves to communicate his point. “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19) The first sentence, “You believe that God is one; you do well,” is truthful. To believe this is good. The author of Hebrews speaks about faith and asserts that one “must believe that He (God) exists.” (Hebrews 11:6) 

The problem is that it’s not “good enough.” It’s only a good start. James reveals this by reminding his audience, “Even the demons believe–and shudder!” What does he mean by this? The understanding regarding demons is that they were angels in the presence of God. They did not need faith because they saw God. They experienced his glory. Yet, they followed Satan in rebellion against God and were cast out. In spite of what they knew and believed in their mind, their actions said something different. These demons “shudder” because they know who God is, and they know the ultimate judgment they will receive for their rebellion which continues to this day.

Prayer: Lord, let the faith you have given me lead me to do the works that you have prepared for me to do. 

Episode 153 - "Faith without works is dead" James2:14-17

James 2:14   What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

It is widely asserted that Martin Luther (1483-1546) a German priest started the  Protestant reformation incidentally through his attempts to confront and discuss various issues stemming from the practice of selling indulgences by the Catholic Church. That was the idea that someone could pay money to the church in order to allow the person to sin in the manner they desired, and it would be covered by that payment. Furthermore, Luther came to believe that one’s salvation was a free gift of God that could not be earned or paid for with good works. It was a gift received by faith alone. Luther came to this belief through his study of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. It’s also held that Luther did not believe the letter of James should be a part of the Bible because, he thought, it taught salvation by works and was in contrast to Paul’s teaching.

In this episode, we’re looking at a part of James that most likely led Luther to think James was teaching salvation by works or salvation by faith plus works. Is Luther right? Is James teaching something different from Paul? In other words, is either Paul or James wrong in how salvation is attained? Let’s take a careful look at this passage to see what’s going on.

Notice the first part of verse 14. “What good is it, my brothers, if . . . “ Already, the question has been framed in such a way that whatever follows, we know the answer is “not much.” James is clearly attempting to expose some fallacy that he believes exists among the “brothers” (Christians) to whom he is writing. The full question is, “What good is it . . .if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” Then, he immediately follows that up with, “Can that faith save him?” In the original Greek language, this last question begins with a word that informs us this is a rhetorical question that expects a negative answer. James asks the question in such a way that he tells them the answer to the question is “No!” In other words, James is telling them that someone who says he has faith but does not have works has a so-called faith that is unable to save him. My question to you is, “Is James negating or diminishing the importance of faith in this question?” Absolutely not! He affirms the importance of faith, doesn’t he? The nuance in his question shines a light on what he intends by this. In the first part of the question, the hypothetical person “says” or claims he has faith but has no works. James is suggesting to his audience there may be people among them who claim to be Christians. They say they have faith but do not act or live in a way that gives any indication they truly have faith. In his rhetorical question, “Can that faith save him,” he is asserting that it cannot because it’s not authentic Christian faith. That question implies the idea that there is a faith that can save. 

Before I develop this further, let’s take a look at the illustration James gives his audience to drive home his point. In verse 15, he speaks of someone who is poor and does not have adequate clothing or food, and someone in the church says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled.” (v. 16) Everyone understands how shallow that blessing is to the person who is poorly clothed and hungry. They are no better off. They are still poorly clothed and hungry. The person in need is not helped, and the person who uttered only shallow words did not honor the person or the Lord. It’s the same thing for the person who says they have faith but do not act in accordance with it. It’s useless. So, is James arguing that salvation is by faith plus works? This is the idea that saving faith is trusting in Christ and doing good works for salvation. I don’t believe James is suggesting that at all. It appears to me that James is telling us what saving faith looks like, and so far, his point is that faith is NOT a shallow claim that has no substance. 

How does this line up with what Paul taught or even Jesus? Let’s take a look. In Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, he writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9) Paul tells his audience that faith itself is a “gift of God, not a result of works.” Now we’re beginning to get a clearer picture of what real, saving faith is and isn’t. Real saving faith is given by God and not a shallow affirmation. Real faith cannot be created or earned by works because it is gifted by God. For someone to say, they have faith but do not demonstrate any quality of it is simply boasting. But, the faith that God gives is given “so that no one may boast.” (v.9) But, notice what Paul adds in verse 10 regarding the kind of faith that is given by God. He writes, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The purpose of God giving us saving faith, apart from any of our own works, is so that we may do the “good works” he prepared for us to do. When we are truly doing good works that honor the Lord and serve others, it’s because He has created us in Christ to do those things. These works are not of our own power or for our glory but for the Lord himself. They do not “save” us. We are saved by the faith God gives us that leads us to do the good works for which He created us in Christ Jesus.

So, does Jesus have anything to say about faith and works? Let’s look at John’s gospel. “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28-29)

Ah! Here we go. Jesus is clearly teaching salvation by works, right? Not exactly. In the next chapter, people are asking Jesus what good works they can do. “Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:28-29)

Do you see that in verse 29? “This is the work of God, that you believe in him (Jesus) whom he has sent.”  That sounds like “faith alone,” doesn’t it? If you think about this, it’s in perfect harmony with both Paul's and James’ teaching. The Scriptures are consistently testifying that God’s work includes giving us saving faith in His Son Jesus. We receive the gift by believing this message about Jesus. Because it’s a gift, there are no works or anything in our own power to deserve or earn this faith. But, God’s intention of giving us this saving faith is in order that He might work good works through us. 

If you have believed that Jesus is God’s Son who came into this world and laid down his life for our sins and that God has raised him from the dead, then you can be confident that Jesus will return to this earth someday to raise us from the dead and we will have eternal life with God. 

If you have never done that, I would invite you to say to God, “God - Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for my sins and to give me hope of eternal life in peace and all that is good. Would you guide me to do the good things you want me to do?

Episode 149 - "Be doers of the word!" James 1:22-25

James 1:22   But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

In our last episode, we learned that we are to be “quick to hear.” (v. 19) I suggested that means we should be actively listening to God’s word as well as to our brothers and sisters in the faith. However, James says it’s not good enough just to listen or hear when God is speaking to us. In verse 22, he says that if we just hear the word but don’t act upon it, we deceive ourselves. That seems self-explanatory, doesn’t it? But, let’s not rush on without reflecting upon the implications of this.

Wouldn’t you agree that to “deceive ourselves” would be a foolish thing to do? Why would we want to do that? Foolishness is the opposite of wisdom, and we learned in verse 5 that wisdom is something God wants to give us. It is an essential component of the completeness for which God has intended for us. Therefore, if we genuinely want what God wants for us, we will listen to God’s word so that we will know what to do. How do we do that? How do we listen to God?

There are many people who will say, “God told me . . . “ Perhaps that’s true. The problem is how does one know? The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments offer frequent warnings about false prophets and people who are inclined to follow people who say what they want to hear. Moses writes that God commanded that false prophets should be put to death. (Deut. 18:20) The point is that we should understand the serious nature of speaking for God. 

The Apostle John wrote in 1 John 4:1-6 that an essential first test of a teacher of God’s truth is that they confess (teach and affirm) that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and is from God. If someone denies this, they are not to be heard. If God is true, then His word is true. Whatever message someone says is from God must come true. If it bears out to be not true, we should not listen to that person. 

The Church has held that the Scriptures from Genesis through Revelation are God’s inspired special revelation to humanity. We believe the Scriptures are God’s word. Therefore, the most reliable source to follow and act upon is our Bible. It is wise and commended that we don’t just read the Bible and interpret it from our own perspective. We should read how Christians throughout the generations have interpreted the Scriptures and pray for wisdom in understanding.

Then, we are to do what the Scriptures say. We cannot say to ourselves, “Wow! That was great!” and then turn around and ignore it. James gives the illustration of looking in a mirror and immediately forgetting what we look like and likens that to those who listen to God’s word and understand what God wants them to do but ignore it. It seems that James is suggesting that we are not foolish for the things we don’t understand. That’s why he tells us that we can ask God for wisdom, who will grant it to whoever asks. It’s a matter of depending upon the Lord and allowing Him to help us grow in knowledge, wisdom, and faith. 

Verse 25 is the “icing on the cake.” James writes, “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” What is the perfect law? Some of you might say, “We’re Christians, and we aren’t under the law.” Without going into great detail on this, look at how he qualifies this “perfect law.” He describes it as the “law of liberty.” The point here is that when we read God’s word and we are “listening” to the message, we are not to create a list of things to which we enslave ourselves. James understands that people can and do develop the mindset that if they just follow a list of dos and don’ts, they are pleasing God. In your spare time, read Romans 8. Paul explains that one of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to confront us about things in our life that need to change or to provoke us to what is good and righteous. The point here is we should not get caught up in keeping score by following a list but considering how we can honor the Lord in following Him. James says the one who does this will “be blessed.” (v. 25)

An example of doing this could be Jesus’ new commandment. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35) Jesus taught his disciples and made it clear that what he was telling them was to be obeyed by them. He also told them the good that would come out of them obeying his new command to love one another. He told them that all people would know they were disciples of Jesus if they loved one another. 

Jesus also told people the entire Law of Moses was represented by two things: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-44) It seems to me those teachings reflect a “law of liberty.” Rather than seeking to follow a list, we are pursuing a philosophy of loving God and mankind.

Prayer: Father in Heaven - Give us a hunger to listen to your word and for your Spirit to provoke and enable us to honor you by obeying your desires for us. Thank you for the blessing you are offering us through this. 

Episode 91 - "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." John 13:16-20

16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

This is another case of where do we begin and when do we stop. These few verses have so much to say to us. Allow me first to draw your attention to the fact that in these five verses, there are two “Truly, truly” statements. When Jesus says that, it means “Listen up!” The first is to make the point that “a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” Jesus is not bragging. He’s calling attention to what they have acknowledged themselves. In this context, he reinforces the need for the disciples to be humble towards each other and serve each other. If Jesus can humbly serve others, then we have absolutely no excuse to think of ourselves as superior to others around us. In fact, Jesus doesn’t stop there with that exhortation. In verse 17, he recognizes the potential for them to understand this truth in their mind, but fail to act upon it. He encourages them to let what they know translate into what they do. If they know they should be humble and serve others, then they should do it. It is too easy for us to placate ourselves by acknowledging what is good and right. But, it can be harder to turn those beliefs into actions.

Once again, Jesus indicates that this will not apply to everyone; only to those who truly belong to him. He quotes Psalm 41:9 as a prophetic word regarding Judas Iscariot who would betray Jesus. Then, he explains that he is telling them this now, even though they don’t understand it, in order that they will put the pieces together later and realize that Jesus knows everything. They will ultimately understand that he has divine knowledge and they will truly understand and value that he is God.

In verse 20 we have the second of these “Truly, truly” statements: “whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” On the surface, this may sound like Jesus is changing subjects. But, it is no coincidence that Jesus has just given his disciples a lesson on serving others, and information that will help them understand that he really is the unique Son of God and is now speaking of those he will send. Who could that be? His disciples of course. He will send them to serve others and to tell people who Jesus is. This statement is to encourage them that there will be people who will listen to their message about Jesus and believe them. Furthermore, they are not just believing the disciples, but also the Son who sent them and the Father who sent the Son. 

What would you think if someone told you that you could tell other people that a man named Jesus is the Son of God, that he willingly died on a cross to accept the punishment for our sin against God, that he conquered death and will someday return to raise us from the dead . . .  and that people would believe you? That would be hard to believe. It’s an amazing claim. 

In our society today there are many people who deny or at least question the existence of God. That’s not to mention the number of people who believe in a god or gods, but don’t know about or believe the God in the Bible is the only or true God. Yet, that is the mission for which Jesus will soon send his disciples and within a matter of a few hundred years, it would become a world religion. 

The only explanation that people would believe us is the power of the good news of Jesus. It is a divine message that has changed the hearts and minds of countless people regardless of how crazy it might seem on the surface.

The challenge to us is whether we will carry that torch and communicate the message of Jesus to others.

Episode 44 - The True Bread that gives eternal life - John 6:22-34

John 6:22   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. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 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 6:25   When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 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.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to 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. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

There is so much here that we could probably write multiple episodes about the response of the people who’ve been miraculously fed. But, let’s see if we can focus on a few important things that we can draw from this section. First of all, remember how these people recognize the significance of Jesus’ miracle of which they had received the benefit. They correctly deduced that Jesus was the prophet like Moses. We also see in verses 22-24 that they’d observed the disciples leave in the boat without Jesus, that Jesus was nowhere to be found where they’d last seen him, and the next day had followed the disciples over to Capernaum. When they arrived they were shocked to find Jesus there and wondered when he’d gotten there. They see things with their eyes. But, the significance of these things is not having the appropriate impact on their lives. Jesus calls them out on this.

In verse 26 he responds to them that they were only following him because they were interested in having their stomachs full. They wanted to make him king because they viewed him more as a free food plan than the God who could give them eternal life. Jesus tells them their priorities need to be set on “food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.” Personally, I see this as a clear claim to these people that he is the Son of Man. I would argue that the crowd understands this claim as is evidenced in their response. Essentially, they are saying if you are the Son of Man sent from the Ancient of Days who has been given this eternal kingdom where we are to serve you, tell us what God expects from us; “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” (v.28) 

Remember back in chapter five, verses 28-29 Jesus also claimed to be the Son of Man who would someday speak and the dead would rise and he says, “those who have done good to the resurrection of life.” (5:29) I asked the question then if Jesus were suggesting that salvation was by good works. This crowd seems to think it does. But, Jesus’ response in chapter six, verse 29 is “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” You see, this makes it clear that the priority of God for us is not attempting to please God through our own efforts. The most important thing is to believe in Jesus. 

This is the point where they should respond positively. But, instead, they ask for another sign so that they can believe in him. They even suggest what he should do by referring to Moses and the manna in the wilderness. They want more food to put in their mouth. They may believe that he has power to work miracles. But, they really don’t believe he is the Son of God. They want him to be subject to their own desires and not for themselves to be subject to the will of God.

Jesus tells them that it wasn’t Moses who really gave them the bread, but that his Father has sent the true bread that gives life to the world. In a manner reminiscent of the Samaritan woman, they ask him for this true bread. But, do they really want it?

The thing that strikes me most about this section is mankind’s need to not approach God with a spirit of looking to get from God what we want or think we need. We just need to trust that Jesus really is God’s Son who knows best about what we need. It is only by faith in him that we have eternal life and everything we truly need.