Imagine waking up to the smell of freshly baked bread. Picture yourself walking into the kitchen, grabbing a cup of coffee, and breaking a chunk off that hot bread. Yummy!
A Listening Heart
Take the first step towards healing and growth. Book your free call now and let’s journey together in faith and friendship.
Bread is as common today as it was in ancient times. God fed the Israelites with manna (Exodus 16:8), a type of bread while they were in the wilderness. In the tabernacle, the priests ate the bread of presence (Leviticus 24:5-9) or served it to those in need (1 Samuel 21: 3-6). This bread met their physical needs for nourishment.
Who is the Bread of Life?
Jesus fed over 5000 people with five barley loaves and two small fish (John 6:1-14). After giving thanks, he broke the bread and asked the disciples to serve the people. He did the same with the fish. Everyone ate to their satisfaction and the left overs filled twelve baskets. Even though, they ate to their fill; the people gathered the next day, expecting Jesus would feed them again. The bread and fish provided temporary nourishment.
However, this time Jesus used the miracle of the previous day to illustrate his message about bread that provides long lasting nourishment. He stated several times, “I am the Bread of Life.”
I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35, NLT)
Though Jesus expounded this point is many ways, the people were slow to get it. They could relate to how he fed them and met their need for physical food. However, Jesus’ statement was about spiritual food which is essential to living a fulfilled life. Just as a loaf of bread satisfies physical hunger, Jesus satisfies soul hunger. He is the spiritual bread that brings eternal life.
Jesus is the full embodiment of the bread in the Old Testament. The bread of presence and manna in the Old Testament pointed to Jesus, who is the ultimate bread that gives eternal life and satisfies all hunger.
The miracle of feeding the 5000, illustrates how Jesus would be broken so that all could partake of his
Benefits of Receiving the Bread of Life
Eating this bread of life gives enduring strength. I took a bite of this bread when I was 7 years old. Since then, Jesus continues to satisfy my soul and provides me with spiritual nourishment when I go to him in worship, prayer and reading His Word. My life is not without challenges but cultivating my relationship with Him daily satisfies my spiritual hunger.
Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh. (John 6, 48-51, NLT)
Can you smell the hot fresh bread? Jesus is the fresh bread of heaven. He gave his life for us so we might have Salvation. Jesus is the bread that will help us grow spiritually if we feed on him continually. He is the soul giving bread that quenches our hunger. He is the life sustaining bread that we need.
Are you hungry, thirsty or brokenhearted? In need of Spiritual nourishment?
Do you want bread?
Jesus invites you to come and break off a chunk of his bread and eat. When you partake of his bread, he will come into your heart and save you.
Come!
This is the first in our 14-week study of Encountering God by Name
Photo Credit: Mike Kenneally on Unsplash
Image Credit: https://wordart.com/
1 thought on “Encountering God by Name: Bread of Life”
Pingback: Encountering God by Name: Savior and Lord - Hidden Treasures and Riches