The Bread of Life is identified in John 6:33 as “that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.” Jesus said in John 6: 35: “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” The Bread of Life is eternal life. John 6:40.
The Bread of Life is sought. Jesus said in John 6:27: “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” Likewise, we are exhorted in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Philippians 2:12 commands us: “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;”.
So then, it was quite reasonable for the Jews to ask Jesus in John 6:28: “Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”.
Then, Jesus gives the most astonishing answer in John 6:29 which transfers the subject from “Bread Sought” to “Bread Given“: “Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” Jesus changes the focus from what man should do to what God has done. Jesus changes the focus from works to faith. Jesus changes the focus from man self-generating his own faith to God even giving faith. “Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven.” John 6:32.
So, we have seen that God, the Father, has given this true bread out of heaven and that Jesus is the bread of life. How does one receive this true bread? The Jews, again quite reasonably, thought in terms of asking for it. “Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.” John 6:34. But, even though the Jews saw and heard Jesus, and even though the Jews asked for this bread, Jesus said to them: “But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.” John 6:36.
So, what does it then take to receive this true bread of heaven, this eternal life???
It takes Unconditional Election, Irresistable Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints a/k/a Preservation of the Saints (“TULIP” in summary). Jesus said: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” John 6:37. “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.” John 6:39. “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:40. “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:44. Jesus concludes in John 6:65: “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 