The crowd at the feeding surrounds Jesus again. According to John, they noticed that Jesus was not there and knew he did not leave with his disciples. They searched for Jesus, and when boats arrived from the Capernaum side of the lake, they used them to cross over. Jesus is explaining to them that they are more focused on satisfying their own needs in this life rather than recognizing the signs he has shown them. Instead of seeking him for spiritual fulfillment, they seek him to satisfy their physical hunger. They are putting their desires before the reason why God sent his son.

While it's true that Jesus wants people to come to him for their needs, this passage highlights the importance of coming to him with the right motives. Even though they saw this miracle, they only sought Jesus for what he could do for them in a physical sense. However, they were not focused on what they truly needed from him: eternal life. Jesus urged the crowd to shift their focus away from their immediate bodily needs and instead recognize the greater need for someone to conquer death, break the curse, and provide for them through God's authority.

The people wanted Jesus to perform another miracle as evidence so they could believe in him. Still, they seemed to have forgotten that he had performed a similar miracle the previous day. It's a tragic situation but also ironic. Jesus wants to show the difference between the life sustained by the manna and the life sustained by the true bread from heaven. While Moses provided manna that only kept people fed until the next meal, God has now given bread from heaven that can sustain life forever. Jesus understands that our spiritual needs are more important than our need for food and water. The people Jesus is speaking to are so preoccupied with their physical needs that it's hard for them to grasp the importance of their spiritual needs. Jesus meets that need. He has come down from heaven to give life to the world.

According to the Bible, the Father gives people to Jesus, and Jesus carries out the Father's will to save those people. The Father also desires that none of those given to Jesus will be lost. Therefore, if the Father has given someone to Jesus, that person is secure forever. Jesus referred to his Father in heaven (v.40), but the people thought he was speaking of his earthly father, Joseph (v.42). Despite this, Jesus continued to talk about his heavenly Father.

It's important to understand that when Jesus speaks about eating his body and drinking his blood, he uses a metaphor. Christians are not actual cannibals, and Jesus does not want them to be. He calls for people to come to him, believe in him, and trust in his sacrifice on the cross as a means of forgiveness. Being united with Jesus through faith also brings about a new covenant with God. Trusting in Jesus' death and resurrection is necessary to be reconciled with the Father and live. The feeding on Jesus mentioned is not a physical act but rather a spiritual one that involves relying on the new covenant established through his sacrifice.