THE BREAD of LIFE August 2024
Scripture Reference: John 6: 22-35 (NKJV)
22 On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone— 23 however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks— 24 when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” 26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” 28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” 30 Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34.Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” 35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
Bread, a simple sustaining piece of one’s diet is a quick, easy answer to hunger. Most people usually enjoy bread. It is delicious, with or without a helper, in the form of butter, jelly, jam, marmalade, peanut butter, etcetera. Some people like it either freshly baked or at room temperature. Is your appetite whetted by now?
In Genesis, in the Garden of Eden, Eve was deceived by the sight of food. Food is so important to us that also in Revelation, a marriage supper is prepared for the Lamb, who was slain from the foundation of the earth. We are invited!
Jesus, the Great Teacher, always used simple, familiar things to reveal deep truths to His followers. A group of people had just witnessed the miracle of insufficient bread, multiplied to feed more than 5,000 people. Everyone ate to their satisfaction and then there was a surplus. As far as they knew, bread answered their hunger and was sustaining them. However, what they did not know was that our spirit also needs maintenance. It is easy for us to place more importance on our body than on our soul and spirit.
After the miracle of the five loaves and two fish, on the next day, again the people waited for Jesus. Hopefully, He would demonstrate His divine power again, but He was ready to teach them to seek His heart, not just His hand. Why did God come in the form of man? It allowed Him to identify with our human cravings. As such, He reminded the Enemy of our souls that humanity needed natural food, but more importantly, food for the spirit man, (Matthew 4: 4).
When Jesus drew Philip’s attention to the crowd’s need for food, Philip emphasized both the difficulty and impossibility of feeding the crowd. Did Philip forget the power of the One who asked the question? Andrew then chimed in with a mustard-seed faith answer. (John 6: 9).
The people expected to see Jesus, wherever His disciples were. They were disappointed when they did not see Him emerge from the boat with the disciples. He had gone to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and would later appear. How would they eat? Yesterday’s miracle had ended, so they needed Jesus again. That rang a dinner bell, but where was the Provider of more than they could consume?
What the people did not understand was that Jesus used the physical food to lead them on the threshold of a lifelong spiritual awareness. By then, yesterday’s meal had passed through the digestive process. The new day brought the reality of the fleeting nature of physical satisfaction. That reality was a precursor to the lesson Jesus wanted them to learn.
The demonstration of multiplying loaves was one that should produce spiritual insight, which would foster maturity. It is our natural inclination to crave oral gratification. It stands to reason then, that whatever a baby grasps, is placed in its mouth. Even if it is their toe. So, food always creates camaraderie, even among strangers.
However, since our existence extends beyond the earth, it is important for the spirit to be nourished. Gradually, Jesus brought this lesson to the disciples. He, the Son of God, is the One who came to humanity to expose us to that truth.
When we work tirelessly, our goal is to be compensated for our labor. The cash we receive is sometimes described as hard-earned. We exert effort and persistence to maintain the job, in the face of uncomfortable situations. We tolerate those challenges to put food on the table.
That is the kind of perseverance that Jesus expects us to display when we pursue things that tend to life and godliness. The disciples totally missed it. They were still focused on working miracles, (the works of God, verse 28). A deeper depth in our relationship with Christ, causes us to understand the message that life is more than food.
We were created to display a lifestyle that demonstrates our belief in Jesus and the power of His blood because of His broken body. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us that we have been called to partner with holiness and walk as new creations. How so? Our joint-heir relationship is demonstrated by not only what we say, but also, what we do. Our actions scream our beliefs, loudly and clearly. Let’s pause and reflect on what we believe about Jesus.
The disciples still did not understand, although they had seen so many signs done by Jesus, they still asked Him to show them a sign. Gideon, (Judges 6: 36- 40) asked for a sign. The angel found him hiding and whining by the threshing floor. He called him a valiant warrior, who God had not forsaken. So, he asked for another sign.
Jesus’ desire for us is that we grow in faith, (the belief in things that we don’t see). Loaves of bread are visible. So, it was easier for the disciples to be convinced about tangible things. The process of believing in Christ, begins with talking to someone, (God) whom we do not see. Yet, we have confidence that He, Jesus, hears, and that He is the way to the Father. (John 14:6)
Our beliefs feed the spiritual part of our being. If we feed on the Living Bread, the results far outweigh the temporary satisfaction of filling our stomachs. One of the enemy’s tactics is to dangle food in our face, just at the time that we should be digesting the Word. (Matthew 4: 1-4)
Spiritual malnutrition is a real threat unless we crave things that enhance inner growth. It is the Spirit of God that communicates with the spirit of man. Therefore, life experiences propel us to establish practices, which develop muscles of hope, faith, and confidence in God.
If our focus is on the material things of life, then we have missed the mark. Jesus saw this trend in the disciples’ reasoning and guided them into seeing the difference between Moses’ bread and the Bread of Life.
Plainly speaking, without Jesus, the Bread of Life, we are mere shells existing in darkness. When that reality reached the disciples, they hungered for more, and requested that other bread. Jesus then said, “I am the Bread of Life.” Not only that, but also that, feasting on Him, fills every real longing after the Divine.
Mankind was created, not just with five senses. The sixth one, a void for worship, can only be satisfied by God. How do we meet that need? Spend time talking to and listening to Him, partake of Holy Communion, read the Bible, be still in His presence and thank Him for His goodness. Since we believe God’s promises, we should stand on Hebrews 10:23.
Physical hunger is experienced because of any of the following: a time span, (routine); lack of resources, (poverty); a deliberate action, (a hunger strike or a fast). The only remedy for those who crave righteousness is the Bread of Life. May it be our goal to stay close to our Source. That Bread was broken to redeem our sin-sick soul and cleanse diseases.
In the Garden of Eden, a choice was given to Adam and Eve, (Genesis 2:16-17). On the way to the Promised Land, Moses instructed the Israelites to obey God’s command and decide about what would impact their generations, (Deuteronomy 30:19). Now, may we be so desperate after Him that we constantly seek His approval.
Longevity is our heart’s cry, but Jesus offers us a more excellent deal, immortality. Therefore, wisdom teaches us to choose to feast on The Bread of Life.
Dr. O. A. James
REFLECTION
Discuss John 6:51