In this passage, Jesus exposes the sins of those who oppose him. The references to Jesus’ “time” not yet having come powerfully convey the truth that Jesus was deliberately heading to the cross where he would pay for the sins of his people.
Read John 7:1-30
In this passage many of Jesus disciples left him because they were offended by his claims and demands. By nature we are no different and it is only through the drawing of the Father that we confess with Peter in verses 68-69 “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Read John 6:35-71
In this passage Israel is attacked by the Amalekites and fights against them. She wins by God’s power. We are at a different point in the history of salvation, but the battles that we fight against our spiritual enemies have the same significance and they are won only through Christ who has won the victory on the cross.
Read Exodus 17:8-16
In this passage the people of Israel accuse Moses of a capital crime by endangering their lives in the wilderness. By doing this they are putting God to the test. In his grace God “stands before” Moses and instructs him to strike the Rock upon which He is standing with the rod of God’s judgment. God symbolically receives the punishment that Israel deserves and in that way provides the water of life.
Read Exodus 17:1-7
Responding to people who were fascinated by his miracles, Jesus warns not to live for things that will pass away but to live for what will last forever. It is by coming to Jesus as the Bread of Life that we live for what endures to eternal life.
Read John 6:22-36
When the women came to the tomb, they expected to find a dead body. Instead angels appeared to them and told them that Jesus was risen. The resurrection of Christ is the great turning point in history because by his death and resurrection Jesus has won the victory over sin and death.
Read Luke 24:1-12
This passage provides a summary of the gospel message. In the grumbling and disobedience of the people we see our own sin. In God’s grace to them in providing manna we see God’s grace to us in providing Jesus as the Bread of Life. The response of trusting obedience that God required from his people, helps us understand what God requires of us.
Read Exodus 16:1-36
The story of the disciples in a boat on a dark stormy lake is a symbol of the people of God surrounded by the enemies of God and his people. Jesus coming to the across the water reveals Jesus as the God of Israel who is sovereign over the stormy waters and who delivers his people from danger.
Read John 6:16-21
This passage presents Jesus Christ as the Passover Lamb who brings life for his people. The miracle of the feeding of the five thousand points to the abundance of the provision of life that Jesus gives. Jesus is also presented as the prophet/king who is not an earthly king, but one who has come to suffer and die to bring the life that is offered in the gospel.
Read John 5:1-15
In this passage, the Lord leads his people into a situation of difficulty, thus testing them. The people fail the test by grumbling. In his grace God delivers them by making bitter water sweet. He calls them to obedience and promises to be their healer.
Read Exodus 15:22-27
