The Bread of Life

I recently read about an internet company that  advertised a “hugable, washable, and talking” Jesus doll that recites “actual Scripture verses to introduce children of all ages to the wisdom of the Bible.” for $15.95.  Its sayings include, “I have an exciting plan for your life,” and “Your life matters so much to Me.” No matter that these exact sayings aren’t in the Bible, but who wouldn’t want to follow a Jesus like this?

Yet, Jesus’ words were not always easy or popular.  He didn’t satisfy the demands of his followers and certainly not their selfish expectations.

Jesus said in John 6:35 “I am the bread of life; he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.”   Then later he affirmed, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (6:51).  This claim didn’t sound warm and cuddly to the Jews.  In fact, it was offensive and confusing. 

Russell Spray used a simple acrostic to suggest how Jesus was the “Bread of life.”

          Living Bread

          Inviting Bread

          Filling Bread

          Enduring Bread

These four concepts are worthy of our thought and meditation.

Jesus nourishes those who partake of Him. The day prior to this claim he had fed the 5,000. The people returned seeking another miracle. However their focus was blurred, their priorities were out-of-order, and their understanding was inaccurate. Thaxter Dickey, in God so Loved: Studies in the Gospel of John, correctly observed, “(Jesus) implied that people feed on husks while God has provided them a feast composed not only of good things but of things that are good for them.”

He nurtures the longing of the heart. Deep inside our souls long for more.  More than physical food.  More than personal satisfaction.  More than material success.  The heart is restless.  Fretful. Uneasy.  Jesus is the inviting bread of life, that appeals to the heart’s deepest yearning.

He satisfies our spiritual hunger.  There is within us a holy hunger.  A craving of the soul that only be satisfied by what the Lord offers.  The Psalmist opined, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8). Jesus, the spiritual bread of life, will fill and fulfill us.  He will satisfy the soul’s craving for a bread that the world cannot provide.

He sustains us eternally.  In this life we eat bread and find ourselves hungry again.  The bread is eaten and consumed.  Or else it spoils.  Jesus, the everlasting bread of life, offers substance that keeps us filled.  It’s never depleted.  And it cannot decay.

Today as we worship in our respective local fellowships, we remember Jesus. Worship Jesus. And “eat” of the bread of life.   Today when you partake of the unleavened bread, remember that he is the bread of life. The staff of life.  And the source and hope of our eternal life.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman