Why Bread of Life?

ByCarolyn E. Jacobs

This week’s name is “Bread of Life.” Why? Well, Jesus had recently fed a huge crowd with a miraculous amount of bread. But is there more significance? If Jesus were to address the crowds today in 21st century America, would He still say, “I am the Bread of Life?” I’d say so.

Jesus is NOT the

  • Junk food of life – Doughnuts, cupcakes, and sugary cereal may satisfy in the moment, but a steady diet of them will make you unhealthy, even sick. They cannot be your steady diet.
  • Coffee of life – I love my morning Joe. Sometimes I think about what blend I’ll fix the night before. It’s a great way to start the day. But Jesus is more substantial than coffee.
  • Filet mignon of life – Jesus is not an elitist. And he’s not just for special occasions.
  • Vitamin supplements of life – The very word supplement means we’re filling in the gaps. Jesus isn’t a God of the Gaps. He’s not something you take once a day, pop the cap back on, and put away in the medicine cabinet.

As gotquestions.org points out, a person can live a long time on bread and water. Jesus, the Bread of Life, told the woman at the well that He was the source of living water. 

13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.” – John 4:13-15

Jesus more than meets our needs – He satisfies.

Are there any Old Testament parallels can we draw?

One of the items of furniture in the Tabernacle was the Table of Shewbread. Every week, priests would put fresh bread, the Bread of the Presence, on the table. It represents God’s presence with us.

8 Every Sabbath day he shall set it in order before the LORD continually; it is an everlasting covenant for the sons of Israel. 9 And it shall be for Aaron and his sons, and they shall eat it in a holy place; for it is most holy to him from the LORD’S offerings by fire, his portion forever.” – Leviticus 24:8-9

But wait – only priests can eat this bread?

Remember – in Christ we’re a kingdom of priests.

But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light – 1 Peter 2:9

Practically speaking, how do believers experience Jesus as the Bread of Life?

Of course there’s communion.

Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” – Matthew 26:26

We remember his death and resurrection every time we come to the Lord’s Table.

We consume the Word on a regular basis.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105

And we can practice his continual presence through conversational prayer, inviting him into our daily routine.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.  – 1 Thessalonians 5;16-18

Here’s an oldie but a goodie for you – Keeper and Sustainer of My Life.

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