The people's question concerning "How Jesus said that he came down from heaven" was preconditioned by a particular Jewish mind-set of that day. The majority of the Hebrews, during the time of Jesus, believed that the spiritual world emanated from the physical world. Flesh, blood and race projected one's spiritual aura. So it is natural and normal for the people to grumble when Jesus says that he is the living bread that came down from heaven.

But Jesus taught that the physical being emanates from the spiritual realm. "And the spiritual Word became flesh and dwelt in the physical world." Jesus taught that the animated physical self is simply an extension of his Father's spiritual domain. Jesus promoted this idea, not to reduce that which is physical, but to help the people understand what is really important in life and what is of lesser importance; what is critical in life and what is simply window dressing; what is of a higher-priority reality and what is of a lower-priority nature; what is living bread which lasts forever and what is physical bread which begins to decay at the end of the day.

Because the tradition had become calcified over a period of many years, the people had become myopically stuck into thinking that God would never desire to be close to them. The tradition finally taught them to appease God through sacrifices, offerings and rituals. This was the only way that their physical natures could get close to God.

But Jesus tells the people to stop grumbling. He says that they are of his Father already, that no one can come to him unless the Father draws them to Jesus. Jesus is telling the people that they have come from the realm of God's spiritual world and so they should live as though they have already eaten the living bread from heaven. Implied here is that in Jesus people see and recognize who they really are as members of God's spiritual kingdom.

Recall the paragraph in the story of The Ugly Duckling when the ugly duck realizes who he really is. "He saw below him his own image, but he was no longer a clumsy dark grey bird, ugly and ungainly, he was himself a swan! It does not matter in the least having been born in a duck yard, if only you come out of a swan's egg!" Jesus was explaining to the gathered people that it was the same with them. It does not matter in the least having been from Nazareth and born in Bethlehem, if only you come out of the matrix and womb of God.

So Jesus proclaims that "Everyone will be taught by God." Because we have come out of the matrix of God we can claim our inheritance. We can claim the bread that comes down from heaven. The bread of such a kind that whoever eats it will not die. The bread that if anyone eats it, he/she will live forever. The bread is Jesus himself, which he gives so that the world may live. Thus Jesus invites us to consume him, to put him on, to wear him so that we will receive life.

A parable: Joshua scooted quickly out of the office building where he worked. As the elevator brought him down to the first floor of the glass and steel complex Josh couldn't wait to get over to The Hub. The Hub was an upscale men's clothing and fashion store in the heart of the city. Being only two blocks away from the entrance to Josh's office building, his one-hour lunch break afforded him just enough time to pick up a few things that he wanted.

As Josh walked into The Hub he said, "Hi David,, how are you today?" David was the owner and operator of The Hub. He had taken a liking to Josh the first time he had walked into the store a year ago. He found Josh to be friendly and also a great customer.

"I'm just great, Josh. Tommy, my little boy, started to walk last night. Sarah and I are so excited. Boy, that Tommy is really something else. Do I love that little guy. What can I help you with today, Josh?"

"I saw a suit on someone the other day and I want to buy one with a similar cut. It even had a matching monogrammed shirt and tie," Josh said. "It's just like that one in the picture up there."

"Yes, Josh," said David, "We stoc_esermonsk that particular ensemble but I must tell you that it is super expensive. I mean mega bucks. You sure you really want to spend that much?"

"Yeah, I think so," Josh said, "Let me try it on." So Josh took the suit into the dressing room. Several minutes later Josh came back out. "I can't possibly resist it, David. Wrap it up for me. The whole works. The suit, the shirt and the tie. I love it."

"Okay, Josh," said David as he rang up the sale. "With your good customer discount it comes to $398." As Josh handed David his credit card, David wondered what his credit limit was. David was beginning to worry a little about Josh. He was coming into the store several times a week now and his purchases were getting greater and greater. Josh didn't seem to be concerned about how much money he was spending though. He would just hand over one of his credit cards. David was beginning to think that maybe Josh was addicted to clothes. David liked clothes. "After all," he thought, "clothes are my business." But David had learned a long time ago that clothes certainly do not make the man.

"Sign right here Josh, and here is your receipt and your carbon. Enjoy your new suit, Josh!"Moments later Josh was standing in the elevator waiting while it climbed the 25 floors to his office lobby. Josh thought about how much he loved his new suit but even in his vivacious and exuberant state there was a tinge of anxiety. He wasn't quite sure what his dread was all about. And then it kind of surfaced from his subconscious being. Josh remembered that some guy had called him from First National Bank early last evening telling him that if he did not make a $250 payment on his credit card the bank was going to shut off his credit. As he walked into his office he considered that both his major credit cards were pretty well maxed-out to the limit. "Yeah, I've really gotten carried away," Josh thought as he sat down at his desk and picked up a report in order to peruse it. Josh was only half into his work. "Boy, I've really become addicted to buying clothes. What is wrong with me anyway?"

But the next day Josh found himself once again standing in the middle of The Hub with his credit cards just burning holes in his pocket. Fortunately, he was the only one in the store and David noticed Josh's anxiety. He saw that Josh was flushed and kind of nervous. He thought that maybe Josh was getting sick.

"Are you all right Josh?" David questioned.

"Oh, I'm okay, David. Well, now that you ask I've got something that's really bugging me but I can't talk here. Can we get together some time and talk after work?"

"Sure Josh. How about over supper this evening at about 6 p.m. My relief clerk is coming in at five which means I will be free for the evening. Let's meet at the restaurant across the street at six."

"Okay, that sounds great. And David, thanks for taking the time to talk with me."

Six o'clock rolled around and Josh found himself sitting in a booth at the restaurant. He didn't have any idea how he would pay his credit cards off. "Life is boring and dull if you can't go out and buy stuff, especially clothes," Josh thought as he saw David walk through the glass door. David sat down across from Josh.

"Well, my good friend, what seems to be troubling you? You sure looked bleak at noon when I saw you. What can I do to help?"

Haltingly and embarrassingly Josh went on to explain to David about the credit cards and his addiction to wanting and buying more and more clothes. "A new suit makes me feel good for about two days and then I want to go out and buy another one," Josh explained to David. "You have an entire clothing store, David, and you seem to be happy!"

"Well, for one thing Josh, the clothing store is my business. If I took a suit out of the store every other day, I could not make a livelihood and provide for Sarah and Tommy. But you're right, I do have the opportunity to get a lot of clothes because of my buyer discounts. But I learned a long time ago that clothes and things can never finally make one happy and fulfilled. If you want to know the truth Josh, there is a garment that does ultimately bring me happiness. Do you want to know what the garment is?"

"David, I'd do anything right now to get myself on the right track."

"Well, I'll tell you if you promise not to laugh. Because some people think that it's ridiculous. But when I was baptized in my church many years ago, my pastor put a robe on me and said, 'Put on this robe, for in baptism you have been clothed in the righteousness of Christ, who calls you to his great feast of the bread of life.' That's it Josh. You may not believe me when I tell you this, but I only have two or three suits. Yes, I take home a fair amount of clothes but I give most of them away through my church's thrift shop. So now you know the secret of my joy. Would you like to find out more about the robe?"

"Yes, I think I would, David. But I'm not sure how that robe brings you so much joy."

"The robe is just a symbol. You see Josh, we are rich. The few societies which are well off are plagued by an emptiness never filled by frantic grasping for more and more stuff. We need to boldly walk into the darkness of human existence. There we face our sin and self-centeredness. In our darkness we meet the suffering God who bears the sin of the world. This God does not crush us. Rather, Josh, he forgives us and gives us the gift of salvation. A new direction. We join the crucified Christ in his unity with the pain of the world. So do you see why that robe is so important to me, Josh?"

"Yes, I'm really beginning to. I would really like to hear more, David. I can't believe that you own an entire clothing store and it hasn't eaten you right up! I know you have your problems, David, but you seem so able to handle them. You have a contentment that I desire. Do you think we could get together every week so that I could learn more about baptism and possibly put on one of those robes, too?"

"I'd love to meet with you regularly. But even better yet, I'm going to introduce you to my pastor so that he can teach you more about baptism. But remember friend, if you decide to get baptized, I get to put the robe on you, okay?"

"Okay, David, you're on!"