John 6:35 - Jesus said to them, "I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst."
Picture a boy about seven years old, coming home from school. He's hungry, and he has so many things on his mind to cure that hunger. There are the cookies in the cookie jar, and there's a bag of chips on the shelf, and there's a new half-gallon of chocolate ice cream waiting to be opened. In fact, he's thinking that the ice cream spooned over two chocolate chip cookies would be about perfect. Now I'm trusting that this is not the after-school diet his mother and father have in mind. But let's face it, something like carrot sticks or celery cannot compete with that ice cream-cookie combo he's dreaming of.
But what if there was something that could beat the ice cream and cookies. Picture bread that's just come out of the oven. It's now cooling on the counter. It is a wonderful loaf, pure goodness with just enough hard crust to be interesting, but then it's soft and inviting inside. It's waiting to be sliced, buttered, and enjoyed. This beats the cookies altogether. I think this little boy is going to go for the bread and why not—slice it thick, butter it up, enjoy a classic meal. That would be bread for a lifetime. Always fresh, always inviting, always filling. I hope that you feasted on that fresh bread, either enjoying your own baking or finding it fresh at the bakery or deli. That is the bread that draws us home, and the bread that fills us with memories.
Jesus tells us that He is the Bread of Life. Our world had many imitations of His Bread of Life. By ourselves we can only come up with a sad substitute to His Bread of Life. We can be those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. But apart from Jesus, we can't fill that hunger. But Jesus is the Bread of Life who gives life to all who come to Him. He promises us that as He is the Bread of Life He gives eternal life. Jesus say, "Truly, truly, I say to you whoever believes has eternal life. I am the Bread of Life. I am the living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread, he will live forever" (see John 6).
What a meal He is! He feeds us for this life and then delivers us to eternal life. Our ordinary breads, even the best, carry us for a few hours. But He feeds us with life now and life to come. Also, our ordinary bread can only be a part of our diet. Don't have three, thick slices of bread 20 minutes before we have dinner. You need more than bread. But with the Bread of Life we have the meal on which we can feast every day. There's no other meal, no other bread for which we have to leave room. Jesus is the meal of our lives. Jesus is the Bread that draws us to the Father and welcomes us every day. When we come to Him, we don't merely snatch up this gift and run. No, Jesus as the Bread of Life welcomes us to stay and to be with Him every day. There's no sign telling us to move on. Settle in, the Bread of Life is here, fresh, and waiting. By faith in His promises, we receive His meal that feeds us today and brings to us eternal life. This is the Bread of Life, the Bread of our lives.
WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, thank You for being the Bread of Life and filling the needs and hungers of us, and all the world. Continue to fill us by Your grace and mercy. We pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Dr. Daniel Paavola.
Reflection Questions:
1. Did you have a favorite treat or two growing up? Do you still enjoy those today?
2. Name some things you would call "cheap imitations" of things that are definitely better.
3. If someone asks you, "How is Jesus the Bread of Life?" What would you tell them?
Today's Bible Readings: Exodus 19-20 Matthew 27:27-50
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