Bread of Life

In case you weren’t aware, that’s my logo. I created it many years ago and have no reason to change it. Unfortunately, I’ve misfiled the nice, large, clean graphic and only have this one.

The two verses are important to me. Luke 11:3 is part of the example Jesus gave us for the Lord’s prayer. John 6:48 is part of a larger lesson on belief and everlasting life along with His confirmation that His life is the bread of life. I could have included Matthew 4:4, Jesus’ answer to Satan when He was offered bread from stone.

More than three hundred verses in the Bible contain 361 references to bread. It was important to the living. Not as important, however, as the message carried by the man who said He was the bread of life:

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (John 4:25-26 KJV)

He tells her – and us – that He is the expected Messiah. Isaiah looked forward to Him in Isaiah 53:1-10 and others, including Isaiah 61:1-2. Jesus read Isaiah’s prophecies and told a synagogue congregation:

And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Luke 4:17-21 KJV)

That’s what’s behind John 6:48, fulfillment of scripture. the unspeakable gift of God. So much more than the manna provided to the Children of Israel, Jesus provides life everlasting. But much happened in that day of John’s sixth chapter, beginning with people following Him in a multitude because He healed people. Look back at my blog “The Bible Said He Did” for that description.

There were so many people, hungry people, and He was aware:

When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. (John 6:5-6 KJV)

What He would do would feed five thousand people, and it was considered a miracle. I’m certain were it to be repeated today, it would be considered a miracle. A man who walked dusty roads, preached astonishing doctrine, amazingly healed people, fed five – and three – thousand people, was followed by multitudes and yet people today think He sits on a throne in heaven, uninterested in our lives. Perhaps we should consider:

For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:2-3 KJV)

The question to me is – how neglectful have I been? I am the only one who can consider, answer and respond. Are you able to do the same about the man who said “I am the bread of life”?