Bread

Guest post by David Caro

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
John 6:35

“Are you anxious again?” my wife asked.

I had been up for the last hour, and the worry in my eyes told more than my lips were willing to share.

“Yes,” I quietly responded.

And why was I anxious at six-thirty in the morning? I had just spent the last forty-five minutes scrolling through YouTube videos on the symptoms, statistics, and updates surrounding COVID-19.

On this particular morning, I had feasted on all that my smartphone could give me – an endless buffet of the newest of news. However, as my eyes left the digital world that I had entered, back to the reality of the morning, I realized that my mind and heart were only more confused and worried than before.

Why?

Science became my comfort. Statistics had become my advisor. Security in earthly things had become my hope. When I couldn’t find an explanation, when I couldn’t make sense of it all, and when “they” could offer nothing more, I was left unsatisfied.

A Comfort-Seeking People

In John 6, the beloved Disciple writes of a people who, like me that particular morning, sought answers and comfort, instead of Christ himself.

John writes of a people who certainly knew about Jesus. The large crowd followed him to the Mount alongside the Sea of Galilee, witnesses to how he had healed their very friends and neighbors (v. 2). When Passover had come, and there was not enough to feed even a few, Jesus multiplied the lunch of a small boy to feed the entire crowd (v. 4-13). In this moment, the people even sought to make him king (v. 15), hungry for more of the physical sustenance they wanted this king to provide.

The next morning, upon realizing that Jesus was no longer with them, they hurriedly loaded their boats and sailed to Capernaum seeking to see Jesus. But when they found him, Jesus knew why they were really there.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.” (v. 27)

Jesus knew their hearts. They wanted more bread. They wanted a king who would give them an excess of what they need, security for the future, and hope in what they could consume.
They even continue to ask Jesus for more signs: “Why not give us manna from heaven, like our fathers in the wilderness?" (v. 31) they ask, echoing the complaints of Israel in the wilderness.

Jesus, the True Bread

While the people looked for their physical needs to be met, Jesus tells them of their true, greatest need. And what does Jesus say?

1) Jesus himself is the all-satisfying bread we need.

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (v. 35)

2) Jesus brings us into new life with God by faith.

“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (v. 40)

3) Jesus cares for, calls, and holds his people.

“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” (v. 37)

4) Only Jesus gives life eternal.

“Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” (v. 49-51)

5) To give us life, there was a cost: Jesus’ life.

“And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (v. 51).

As the Lord, in His grace, opened my eyes to these truths, I saw the sin and foolishness in my heart. That morning I spent scrolling through my phone (as I do many mornings), I was seeking the temporary, stale bread of the world, instead of Jesus Himself. The very Jesus who is the true Bread of Life. Jesus who lived in perfect obedience to God, so that we are counted obedient and righteous. Jesus who died the death that we deserve, to take on Himself the punishment for our sin. And Jesus who has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into His eternal Kingdom.

A Better Morning

Each morning, we need the fresh bread of Christ Himself. Rather than eat breakfast with the scientists, reporters, and vloggers at our fingertips, we can dine with the King who gives us life- by feeding us His own life.

Very practically, we can do this by simply reading God’s Word before we begin our days, alone or with our families. We can call friends and family to share what we have been reading. As a church we can also engage in the Women’s Bible Study (through 1, 2, and 3rd John) and the Men’s Study (through Philippians) beginning in the next two weeks.

And above all, may we remember that God is good. God is King. And He has given us the Bread of Life- Jesus, the true Word (John 1:1); the radiance of God’s glory (Heb. 1:3); the One in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3).