You may have heard of the feeding of the five thousand, but what about the offending of the five thousand that followed Jesus’ miraculous meal?

Jesus preached, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” But the stuffed crowds were offended. “At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven’” (John 6:35,38,41).

What offended 99 percent of the five thousand? Jesus’ claim to be “from heaven.” If Jesus had been their earthly equal, they might have loved him, but when he claimed to be their heavenly superior, they turned on him.

That’s a very human reaction. Think of how angry we get with referees, coaches, teachers, pastors, presidents, parents, and governments who flex their authority and tell us to do something we prefer not to. No wonder some of the five thousand walked away.

But don’t miss what the authoritative Jesus is offering you—life. You’ll never be hungry for love or thirsty for acceptance if you come to the bread who came down from heaven. Yes, he is holier than you. Yes, he always gets the last word. Yes, he will call you to change your sinful ways. But Jesus, along with his heavenly authority, wants to satisfy your soul.

Let your sinful nature be offended. Jesus is always worth it.