Today's readings are Song of Solomon 6.4-7.5 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Song+6.4-7.5 ) and John 6.22-40 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+6.22-40 ).
Our passage today in John is the beginning of Jesus' "bread of life" statements. Look today at the way Jesus is faithful and consistent in his word and ministry, as opposed to the people who are questioning him. The crowds have seen Jesus doing miracles and signs, but came only for the food. When Jesus identifies himself as God's provision for them, they wonder what kind of signs he is going to do. But Jesus has been perfectly consistent all along in what he has done. There is no reason for the crowds to doubt God's provision for them through Jesus, the bread of life.
Yet this statement, as are many of Jesus' statements, stands in stark contrast to what we would naturally believe or expect. We look for God's provision through different means than the means God chooses to provide for his people. We look to our own wisdom or ability to earn merit before God. God provides the belief we need, provides us with the object of our belief, and tells us to believe, since we might not have figured it out. In fact, all we need is provided in Jesus, our sole source of godliness.
Let us look to our Lord and Savior, the one who feeds us. Let us look in belief, for this is the means he has ordained. Let us not seek to know what we can bring him, as if he needs anything. Let us seek to receive the provision we need from his mighty and gracious hand.
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