Devotional

Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger… -John 6:32-35a

Few things smell as wonderful and inviting, or taste as delightful and satisfying, as freshly baked bread. But bread is far more than just an enjoyable food to eat. Throughout world history, bread has been essential to life itself. For many civilizations, bread has been the major food source. Bread nourishes, feeds, and sustains. Without it, there is no life. Israel knew this well.

Just as God provided bread to save and sustain his people, so too did God give Christ to save and sustain.

After the Exodus, Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years. During this time, God miraculously provided daily bread (manna) for them to eat. Without the bread God provided, they would have died. Bread was their life. Jesus took that story and pointed it at himself. Just as God provided bread to save and sustain his people, so too did God give Christ to save and sustain. But this isn’t just about calories and nutrition.

Jesus referred to himself as “the bread of life.” And he did this in the presence of thousands of people who were, in fact, alive. His point was that there is more to us than merely our physical bodies. There is a greater life that God offers. We are spiritual beings, created in God’s image. We are both body and soul. Just as bread is necessary for the life of our bodies, Jesus is absolutely essential and necessary for the life of our souls. Without him, we wither away and die.

...there is a hunger within us that nothing else in this world can satisfy.

You see, there is a hunger within us that nothing else in this world can satisfy. We may find temporary reprieve from our hunger pangs from time to time in other things, but nothing is able to truly satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts… nothing but Christ. He alone is the God-sent bread of life. He alone came down from heaven to earth to save and sustain sinners. In and through him, we are invited to experience true life and the delightful and all-satisfying love of God.

In order to behold Christ, the bread of life, we must first acknowledge the insufficiency of all other breads. We must stop feasting upon them as if they could satisfy us. To behold Christ, we must forsake all others who promise us life. We must run and cling to Christ and direct our deepest longings and desires to him alone. We must believe that his death, resurrection, and ascension are sufficient to save us from all of our sins, whether they be past, present, or future. 

To behold Christ as the bread of life is to trust that he will daily provide for our needs with perfect power, love, wisdom, and timing.

To behold Christ as the bread of life is to trust that he will daily provide for our needs with perfect power, love, wisdom, and timing. Does his timing seem off or late? Does his provision seem insufficient for the day’s needs? Do the challenges before you seem insurmountable? Remember, he died and rose for you. Remember, he came down from heaven for you. Remember, he promised that all who come to him will not hunger. He and he alone will satisfy you. 

Liturgy

Holy Father,

We come before you with grateful hearts.
You gave the true bread from heaven,
and in Christ we find life that never fades.

Lord Jesus, bread of life, we behold you with thanks.
You satisfy our deepest longings.
You fill the empty spaces that nothing else can reach.
You bring peace where our souls once felt dry and restless.

Holy Spirit, strengthen our trust in Christ.
Give us confidence as we share our faith,
knowing you are the one who draws people to Jesus.
When others turn toward him, remind us to give all glory to you alone.

Fill us with living water that never runs dry.
Keep our hearts from chasing what cannot satisfy.
Set within us a steady and clear hunger for Jesus.
Make us whole in him, filled in him, and at peace in him.

Amen