After witnessing Jesus’ many healings and even the multiplication of the loaves, the people continue to insist that they want a miraculous proof of who he is in order to obey or believe in him. The crowd then throws in his face that Moises continually provided the miracle of mana from heaven while Israel crossed the desert. The Exodus and their journey through the desert was a primary focal point in the identity for the people of Israel as a people of faith and trust. The people in front of Jesus that day were not so much focused on the providence of God, trust and faith as they were focused on Moises and on miracles – mostly on the miracles that they wanted. They were focused on the circus aspects of miracles, maybe a lightning bolt here, right now, maybe something floating in the air — and probably on miracles that they thought they needed to live better, maybe less sickness, more money, more food, more bread. They had lost the understanding and experience of crossing the empty desert trusting only in God. They had become focused on Moises and the food. They no longer had God as their central focal point.
Interestingly Jesus does not provide an instant miracle there for them. Rather he calls them to deepen their faith in him as the source of life. A deep, personal connection with him provides us with eternal life.
Our joy in this Easter season is rooted in the experience that God sends his Son to us so that we can have communion with him and participate in the resurrection. This new life comes from our relationship with the Word of God and our obedience to that Word. Life does not come to us from our relationship with food, bread, or miracles.
I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.
Image: https://biblia.com/bible/esv/john/6/30-35