It’s not surprising that the crowd wanted Jesus to feed them forever; life would be much easier if we didn’t have to work to survive. But Jesus has something more important in mind. He wants these people—and you and me, too!—to have the kind of life that goes beyond mere survival; He wants us to be everything God created us to be, living in peace with God and each other.
But how can this happen? Jesus tells them: “Come to Me … Believe.” Jesus does the hard work of saving us. He lays down His own life on the cross in order that we may be forgiven and made new, children of God. And when He rises from the dead, He shares that life with us freely, forever—why? Because He loves us. Because He is the true bread from heaven, which God the Father provides so that we may live.
WE PRAY: Lord, give Me Yourself as my life forever. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* How often do you eat bread (or rice or tortillas)?
* Why does Jesus call Himself bread and not cake or ice cream?
* What hungers has He met for you?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.