“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.”
John 6:51
WHAT IT MEANS…
Bread of Life comes from the Greek combination of artos (bread, food, loaf), tēs (the), zōēs (both physical and spiritual life in regards to our temporal life on earth and especially our future spiritual life).
This is one of Jesus’ seven I AM statements that equated Him with the Father who declared Himself to be I AM in Exodus 3.
When Jesus attributed the name of Bread of Life to Himself, He had just fed 5,000 hungry listeners with 5 loaves of bread and 2 small fish the day before. The crowd followed Him on the other side of the sea and, as they asked Him if He was going to give some kind of a sign like the manna from heaven that God gave the children of Israel in the wilderness, Jesus tells them He is the True Bread from Heaven.
Jesus is the Living Bread. The Bread of Life. Jesus says when you consume Him, you will never hunger again. Assuring those who surrender their lives to Him that they will have not only Bread for this life, but also Bread that will sustain them throughout eternity.
As the bread was broken at the Last Supper, we are reminded that Jesus is the Bread of Life who was broken for us.
HOW IT APPLIES TO OUR LIVES…
It was a long drive through Illinois on our way to Iowa with no off-ramps, no stores, and no restaurants anywhere to be found. The van filled to the brim with 5 kids and two moms. One of which was expecting.
The van may have been full, but our stomachs were empty and the snacks disappeared before we ever crossed the Illinois state line.
But then we saw it. A sign in the distance. Food! It was a Wendy’s sign! Oh yes! A Wendy’s burger never sounded so good!
We darted into the parking space, raced into Wendy’s, and hoped fast-food really meant fast!
It was fast and we were all full within about 15 minutes.
Totally satisfied, we hit the road again, in hopes that there would be more options for food before hunger pangs set in again.
We’ve all experienced what it’s like to ache with hunger and finally feel satisfied after filling our bellies with some kind of food. But we don’t stay full for long.
Our bodies are made to constantly need nutrition. And so we get hunger. We eat. We feel full for a little while. We get hungry again. And the vicious cycle continues every single day.
Jesus is the Bread of Life who satisfies forever. Once we receive Him, He take the ache away. He fills us with His fullness that leaves us eternally filled.
Whatever your heart is hungry for, He alone can fill it.
- Hungry for salvation? Let Jesus fill you up.
- Hungry for hope? Let Jesus fill you up.
- Hungry for peace? Let Jesus fill you up.
- Hungry for love and purpose? Let Jesus fill you up.
Jesus is the Bread of Life and He alone can fill you up and leave you eternally satisfied in Him.
HOW WE CAN PAUSE TO WORSHIP HIM TODAY…
- Praise Him for who He is. Bread of Life. The One who gives us life, sustains us in this life, and bestows on us eternal life.
- Thank Him for being the Bread of Life. For satisfying everything your heart has ever been hungry for.
- Repent of any disobedience to the Bread of Life.
- And just take a few minutes to listen to this beautiful song. Allow yourself to bask in the beauty of knowing the Bread of Life and worship Him for who He is.
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HOW WE CAN FIND OUT MORE…
Read the account of Moses and the Heavenly manna provided by God in the wilderness in Exodus 16.
Read John 6 to get the context of when Jesus attributed the name Bread of Life to Himself and write down anything the Lord shows you as you dive into His Word.
SUGGESTIONS TO HELP DIVE DEEPER:
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- Create a “Knowing God More” Journal. Write out what you learn & how God speaks to you.
- Write each name on a 3 X 5 and meditate on them throughout the day.
- Contemplate the significance of the name or title in context.
- How does that name or title relate to you?
- How can you honor Him more as ______________?
- In what areas have you seen Him be ______________ in your life?
- How can you pray to Him by this specific name or title?
- How can you pray His specific names or titles over your husband, your children or those you know and love?
- Use a Bible Dictionary and Commentaries to help deepen your level of understanding.
What did you know about the Bread of Life before today? How has this helped you know Him more?
Thanks for joining me in this journey to know Him more!!! Please be sure to share any comments or questions you might have!
Eternally His,
Steph
Phil 3:7-14