John 6:30-34, A Sign

30So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32Jesus 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. 33For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." 

Bread is the staple of human diets, especially the poor. That Jesus produced so much bread to feed the multitude did not count as sign enough for these people. Perhaps some had not been there. Nevertheless, they want to see additional credentials before they will believe. They want a sign like Moses gave them, the manna. Jesus corrects them that it was not from Moses but from heaven, meaning it was God-provided, just as he also is God-provided. 

Jesus turns the tables on them, saying that he is the bread that has come down from heaven. He is the sign in their midst. As the manna gave life to God’s people in the wilderness, Jesus has come to give life to the world. Will they miss the sign? In a moment of hope, they ask to receive this bread Jesus promises. 

Have you ever asked God to give you a sign so that you may believe? Sometimes we put God to the test. Instead of relying on faith, we want proof, forgetting all the signs he has already given us! Think back in your life. Where has God given you signs before of his provision in your life? Take a moment to thank him.