Bread for the Soul

Jesus made this startling statement not long after He had satisfied the physical hunger of over 5000 people. They came seeking Him again the next day, looking for more food for their bellies. Instead of giving them what they sought, Jesus taught them a lesson of much more importance. He taught them about true nourishment, soul nourishment.

Jesus answered them, “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. For on him God the Father has set his seal… For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:26-27,33

Jesus was trying to get the people to understand; nothing was more important than their spiritual life. Soul satisfaction could only be found in Him. Yes physical needs demanded to be met, yet; He offered them something more vital than even food. He offered Himself. Through Him, they would receive not only eternal life, but life abundant. The Greek word originally used in this text is zoe, a word which connotes a blessed and satisfying life. Elsewhere in the gospel of John, Jesus refers to faith in Him as a spring of water which bubbles up inside of us and is the source, or supply, of this abundant life. (John 4:13-14)

Jesus offers this same abundant life to us today. Placing our faith in Him for forgiveness of sins and eternal life is a one-time act that seals us and guarantees our acceptance into Heaven, yet coming to Him for life on this Earth is something we must do repeatedly. Every. Single. Day. As the prayer goes, give us this day our daily bread.” We must go to Jesus daily for what only He can give us. Yesterday’s bread will not suffice for today. We can’t get enough bread today to sustain us for tomorrow, or the day after that. We must come to Jesus daily to be refreshed, renewed, filled, and prepared for whatever we will face ahead.

Only God knows what lies ahead and exactly what we will need to be victorious. If we aren’t taking the time to seek Him by reading His Word, praying, and being in His Presence, we will never receive the bread of life that He is waiting to give us. We will miss out on His guidance and the closeness that comes from communion with Him. We will deny ourselves the manifestations of this close relationship: peace, love, joy, goodness, kindness, self control.

So what kind of bread do you need today? Is it strength? Joy? Wisdom? Maybe you aren’t sure exactly what you need. Rest assured, your Heavenly Father knows! And He is waiting to abundantly supply through His Son Jesus, the true Bread which comes down from Heaven.

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;

and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,

and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,

and delight yourselves in rich food.”

Isaiah 55:1-2