John  ◦   Chapter 6

1Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far side of the Sea of Galilee (also known as the Sea of Tiberias),2and a very large crowd of people followed him because they had seen the miraculous healing of the sick he had performed.3Then Jesus went part-way up the mountainside, found a level place and sat down with his disciples.4It was almost time for the Jewish Passover Feast.

5When Jesus looked up and saw the great crowd of people coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy food for all of these people?"6Jesus asked him only to provide Philip an opportunity to expand his thinking and strengthen his confidence in him, as Jesus had already decided how he was going to feed them.

7But Philip was still struggling to see beyond the immediate earthly perspective, so he answered. "Even if we had eight months' wages, it would not be enough to buy enough food to feed everyone!"

8Another of his disciples, Andrew (Simon Peter's brother), spoke up:9"We found a young boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

10Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was a large meadow there, and the people sat down. There were about five thousand men, as well as women and children.11Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, gave thanks to his Father, and distributed them to all those who were seated. Everyone ate as much as they wanted.

12When they were all satisfied, Jesus said to his disciples, "Gather all the leftovers and don't waste anything."13So each disciple took a basket and filled it with pieces, so that twelve baskets of leftovers were collected.

14After the people saw the miracle of feeding such a large crowd, they began to say, "Surely this is the Messiah who is to come into the world and deliver us." His own disciples were becoming caught up in such talk, as they seemed to always focus on earthly triumph rather than spiritual healing.15But Jesus, knowing that they were intending to come and use the methods of Satan–the methods of force to make him king–and because he would never use such methods, withdrew to a mountain retreat by himself.

16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake,17got into a boat, and set out for Capernaum. Darkness had fallen, and Jesus had not yet joined them.18A severe storm arose and the waters became very rough.19After they had rowed about three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, and he was walking on the water. They saw that it was Jesus, but their understanding of his true nature was so clouded by their lifelong misconceptions that instead of rejoicing, they became terrified.20But Jesus was patient and gentle with them, and said, "It is just me; there is no need to be afraid."21Hearing Jesus' voice calmed them, and they were willing to let him into the boat; and immediately the boat reached the shore they were heading to.

22The next day, the crowd that Jesus had fed with the loaves and fish realized that the disciples had left in the only boat around, but Jesus had not been with them.23Then some boats from Tiberias landed nearby the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.24As soon as the crowd realized that both Jesus and his disciples had gone, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of them.

25When they found Jesus on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Teacher, when did you get here and how did you come since your disciples took the only boat?"

26Jesus answered, "I tell you plainly, you seek me not because you saw the miracles and understood the truth I have come to reveal, but because you were fed with loaves and fish and are no longer hungry.27Do not make the pursuit of food that feeds the body your main objective in life, but instead, pursue as your main objective the food that heals and restores the mind and results in eternal life. I, the Son of Man, am the source of the food that heals the mind and brings life eternal. I am the source of truth that refutes the lies of Satan and reveals God's true character. Because of this, God the Father has placed his seal of approval on me."

28Then they asked him, "What do we have to do in order to do the work God requires, so we can receive this food that heals the mind and results in eternal life?"

29Jesus answered, "God doesn’t require that you perform some work or task in order to enjoy complete healing of mind, reconciliation with him, and eternal life. All he requires of you is this: Believe the truth that I have come to reveal — which will result in the lies of Satan being expelled from your minds, trust in God being restored, and you being healed by God’s recreative power — so that you may live forever."

30So they asked him, "What miracle will you perform so that we may see it and then trust you? What will you do to prove that you are not lying to us?31Our forefathers ate manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "

32Jesus smiled as he saw an opening through which to reach them, and responded by saying, "I tell you plainly, it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven but my Father, who gives you the real Bread from heaven. The manna your forefathers ate in the desert was given as a symbol of the true Bread of Life to come. Just as the manna was given freely, and provided health to the body, so too the true Bread of heaven is given freely and heals the mind and heart.33For the true Bread of God is the One who comes down from heaven bringing the truth about God, which brings life to the world."

34"Sir," they said, "please give us this bread that we may live forever."

35Then Jesus told them directly, "I am the Bread of Life. I am the Truth that sets your minds free. I am the Remedy that heals your souls. Whoever comes to me and accepts the truth, principles and methods that I bring, and trusts in me, will be fully restored to God's original ideal and will never hunger for peace of mind, or thirst for love or contentment of soul.36But as I have already told you, you have seen me and all the evidence I have given, and yet you still do not value my principles, or trust what I say.37But all those who hear the Father’s voice recognize that I represent the Father, and they come to me to be healed. And whoever comes to me for healing I will never turn away.38For I have come down from heaven not to pursue my own agenda but to do the will of the Father who sent me.39And it is the will of the Father who sent me that I not lose even one of those who have heard the Father's voice and have come to me for healing. I will heal their minds, perfect their characters, and restore them to unity with the Father; and I will raise them up to everlasting life at the last day.40For my Father's will is that everyone who trusts in me, his Son, shall be completely healed — having the full image of God restored within them — and thus have eternal life; and I will raise them up at the last day."

41When the Jews heard this, they became upset and began to grumble because he said, "I am the Bread that came down from heaven; I am the Truth that sets your minds free; I am the Remedy that heals your soul."42They resisted accepting the truth, saying, "Isn't this Jesus, the son of Joseph and Mary, who was born right here on earth just like the rest of us? So what's all this rubbish he's talking about when he says, 'I came down from heaven'?"

43"Stop criticizing and grumbling," Jesus said.44"No one who hardens their heart to the Father’s call and to the evidence he provides will come to me. Only those who respond to the Father’s call and cherish the truth he provides will come to me; and I will raise them to everlasting life at the last day.45It is written in the Scriptures: 'They will be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and embraces his methods, principles and character, comes to me.46No one has ever seen the Father except the One who is one with him and has come from God; only I — his Son — have truly seen the Father.47I tell you the plain truth, whoever trusts me will be recreated within, have the very principles upon which life is based written in their heart, and they will have eternal life.48I am the Bread — the very source — of life.49Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died and were buried there.50But here I am, the Bread — the food the mind and soul needs — sent from heaven, which a person may ingest and not die.51I am the very source of life — the heavenly Bread for the soul. If anyone partakes of and ingests this Bread, they will live forever. This Bread is my very being which I give so that the world may live."

52Then the Jews became very agitated and argued severely among themselves: "How can this human give us himself to eat? Does he think we are cannibals?"

53Jesus said to them, "I tell you the plain and simple facts: Unless you internalize into your minds the truth which the life of the Son of Man reveals, and incorporate into your characters the principles, methods and merits of his life, your condition is terminal and you are already as good as dead.54Whoever partakes of the truth my life reveals, and incorporates my character into theirs, is cured of their terminal condition, and I will raise them up to eternal life at the last day.55For my principles, methods and teachings are real truth to be brought into the mind, and my life is the full revelation of God's character to be incorporated into the heart.56Whoever internalizes my principles, methods and teachings, and brings within themself my character, is in unity with me, and I with them.57Just as the living Father sent me, and I draw all my sustenance from the Father, so the one who connects to me and takes me into their mind will live because I will cure them.58I am the Bread, the heavenly Remedy for your diseased minds. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but whoever partakes of this Bread — this Remedy — will be cured and live forever."59He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

60On hearing this, many of his disciples said, "This is a very difficult assignment. Do you think anyone will do it?"

61Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining about this, so he said to them, "Does this offend you?62What if you see me, the Son of Man, ascend into heaven where I was before?63The Spirit of God is the Spirit of love, truth and freedom, who brings life; humanity is currently infected with selfishness, which brings death and counts for nothing good. The words I have spoken to you are the truth; they heal and bring life.64Yet there are some of you who do not believe me." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not trust him and would betray him.65He added, "This is why I told you that only those who respond to the Father's call and cherish the truth he provides will come to me."

66It was at this time that many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

67Jesus looked sadly at the Twelve and said, "You don't want to leave me too, do you?"

68Simon Peter responded, "Master, where would we go and whom would we follow? You are the Remedy to heal our minds and give eternal life."69We trust you and know that you are the Holy One of God–the exact expression of his being."

70Jesus replied, "I have chosen you, the Twelve, yet one of you is filled with the devil's principles of selfishness."71(He was referring to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who — though one of the Twelve — would later betray him).