In many parts of the world, bread is used as a staple for meals. It is a food that is convenient, cost-effective, and full of nutrients like iron, fiber, and calcium, and it is a complex carbohydrate that provides energy. Many feel they can’t eat a meal without bread. In some countries, it is the main part of the meal. In the New Testament Jesus refers to himself as the Bread of Life!
John 6:35 “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
John 6:48 “I am that bread of life.”
John 6:51 “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
It is important to note, the “I Am,” in each of these verses. In studying this phrase, I found that the construction of this statement is ego eimi, meaning “I, I myself, am.” It is rarely found in the Bible. However, it is the construction found every time the “I Am” is said by Jesus. It is also used in Exodus 3:14 when God declares it of Himself. Any Jew trained in the scriptures would have understood Jesus was speaking of His own deity. It must have made them furious to hear Jesus speaks of Himself as equal to God.
The other aspect they would have taken note of is that he called Himself the “Bread of Life.” To a Jew, bread is very important even today. The breaking of the bread on Sabbath is the first thing they do to start their meal after worship is completed. The breaking is the blessing to start the meal. To the Jew, it is a sacred thing.
The Jews knew very well the importance of bread. It was the bread, manna from Heaven, that God gave to his people to sustain them while on their journey to the promised land. It was given every day except on the Sabbath. On the day before the Sabbath, enough was to be gathered for two days. God only gave them what they needed, but it was up to them to gather and receive His blessings. In Old Testament times the Jews had to bring sacrifices every year for their sins. The Old Testament manna and bread were just a foreshadowing of the Christ to come. Christ as our Bread of Life replaced all the rituals and sacrifices. He, once and for all, is our sustainer, and our sacrifice. His sustenance is never to be doubted. He grants and sustains eternal life to all who will believe, and accept Him as payment for their sins. He is not a temporary fix as the manna was to the Jews. He is permanent!
His word will sustain us until we meet Him face-to-face one day. All who come to him in faith will not be cast out. As long as we believe we are secure.
John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
It is up to us to take this sustenance that God provides. I can bake a beautiful fresh loaf of bread for all who enter my home to eat, but it will not give them the energy or nutrients it can provide unless they eat it. The Bread of Life is food for our soul that we can’t live eternally without. Do you feel sustained? If not, take of this Bread that is free, and open to all. Once you have eaten it, like any good bread, you will want more. One tasting will not be enough.
