Jesus is Bread For a Hungry World

Scripture: John 6:51 NKJ - 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.

Jesus never gave up an opportunity to teach, to enlighten and to reveal spiritual truths, not only just for now (present), but for an eternity.  On many occasions, what He really taught/revealedabout Himself went right over the heads of the People, Jewish religious leaders, and those who walked with Him. The Jewish leaders thought that they had it all figured out , who Jesus was and where He came from (Matt. 13:53-58). Jesus to them was Joseph’s legal son, Joseph’s natural son, family from Nazareth of Galilee, His mother was Mary and a brother named James.  Yet He says,  “I am from heaven.”  That disturbed them for, the religious leaders complained and argued concerning Jesus’ teaching in the Synagogue on salvation, eating of His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6:52-58). Jesus to them claimed deity. It was the choice of the religious leaders to not know the truth.

Jesus made statements not to frustrate the Jewish leaders but to get them thinking to expand their spiritual realm. He often taught using things most familiar to them like bread. Bread was a staple food, a basic dietary item.  Bread could sustain a person for a long time. It was used as sharing a meal (breaking bread) (Acts 2:42-46). Ceremonially, Jews were to eat unleavened bread for seven days during the Passover feast in the dessert, manna rained down from heaven to sustain a nation (Exodus 14:4). Never-the-less, physical food perishes and those who eat it will hunger again. (John 6:27), warns- “Do not labor for food that perishes- but, for food  that endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give.”  Jesus made it plain that eating, and drinking were essential for eternal life. “Eating My flesh and drinking My blood” carries a meaning as such; when one believes Jesus, it is as if they are figuratively “eating” His flesh and “drinking” His blood.  Jesus also says,  “unless you eat My flesh and drink My blood, you have no life in you.”

Jesus is spiritual bread that brings eternal life. He extended an invitation to “come” and believe and place faith in Him who is the Messiah and Son of God. Coming to Jesus  involves making a choice to forsake the world and follow Him. Believe Him by placing faith in Him who, is who He says He is, He will do what He says He will do, and He is the only one who can. (Matt.5:6)-Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Jesus will satisfy your hunger and thirst-to become the righteous of God. He is bread for the hungry world. The Jewish nation was prohibited against eating human flesh (Gen. 9:3,4; Lev. 17:10-16; 19:26). Here we have a spiritual misunderstanding in John’s gospel of a spiritual truth by treating it literally (John 6:63). The Jews both misunderstood and rejected Jesus’ teachings. They found His teachings offensive. What about you? Do you have a spiritual hunger within? Jesus will save you and satisfy forever!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have given the world Jesus, Your only begotten Son, and in Him  we who believe have eternal life by faith in the finished work on the cross. In Him I have many benefits -- abundant life, am a child of light, am forgiven, and I have been pardoned. Bless Your name. In Christ, amen.

(by Novella D. Carpenter)