Jesus, Greater than Moses
By Blesson Selvanesan
The Word: 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.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:32-40 (ESV)
Israelites consider Moses to be great prophet and savior of their people from slavery. Moses had accomplished a lot and stood unmatched in stature among Jews. Moses spoke to God and led their ancestors away from slavery and into the Promised Land. God performed many signs and wonders through Moses and people revered Moses. Moses stood as an intermediary between the people and God. God gave manna from heaven when Moses led his people through wilderness for forty years. When God incarnate Jesus walked on the earth, it was difficult for Jews to understand the claims of Jesus. Jesus claimed himself to be Son of God and made himself equal to God. Jesus told them that it was His father who gave them manna, the bread from heaven that satisfied the physical appetite of the people in the wilderness. After eating manna, although they were content for some time, they became hungry again. God gave them manna every morning. They could not store this manna as it became spoiled if stored long. God refreshed their physical hunger every morning.
Jesus told them that His father (God) gives them the true bread which will not cause any more hunger. He claimed that He is the true bread that came from heaven and who ever have him will not have hunger again. Jesus was not talking about physical hunger but a deeper spiritual hunger. He understood that spiritual need is much more important than the physical need. Moses could take care of people’s physical needs but God alone can take care of people’s spiritual needs. Further, Jesus claimed that He is on earth to do the will of His Father and have the ultimate power to give eternal life and the power over death.
Application: Moses met people’s physical needs and they hungered again and again. Even though it sustained their lives, they all died. Jesus the bread from heaven is God incarnate and can give eternal life. No man can satisfy one’s spiritual hunger, only God alone can. Jesus offered the impossible to the people thereby showing to everyone that He is greater than Moses and He is the Son of God. Spiritual hunger cannot be filled with any other substitute God alone can fill it and Jesus alone is offering this.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks for this day. Thanks for our daily bread. Lord, help us to think beyond our physical hunger and seek you more and more to satisfy our spiritual hunger. In Jesus Name. Amen.