The Bread of Life

Jesus said He was the bread of life, "I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give or the life of the world." (John 6:48-51). Manna (bread of life) was given to the Israelites after they grumbled to Moses about not having food to eat. In Exodus 16 God provided them with food that rained down from heaven and covered the ground like dew. Once it dried it was picked up in flakes and what Moses called, "bread the Lord has given you to eat." (vs 15). Manna was also called "the grain of heaven" and "bread of angels" is Psalm 78:24-25.

Every day God provided this food from heaven to sustain the Israelites for 40-years. Yet, the people ate it and still died a physical death. Jesus is the bread of life, like manna, that God sent from heaven. But unlike manna, Jesus was bread that gave us eternal life. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have ever lasting life." (John 3:16). I am so thankful that God sent His Son so that we may have eternal life. That our physical death is not the end but in fact, the beginning. May we eat from the "grain of heaven" each day and gain strength and nourishment from it. Then, may we proclaim what it's done for us to others. That those around us may know that Jesus wants them to know the joy of being loved by a Father who can fill the hunger they feel.

Krista Jones
1.23.08