I Am the Bread of Life
“Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry again.’”
John 6:35a (NLT)
People follow Christ for different motives. Why do you follow Christ? Curiosity seekers and miracle chasers were following Jesus for self-serving reasons. Having just miraculously fed 5,000 men plus an unnumbered group of women and children with only five barley loaves and two fish from a young boy’s lunch, large groups were now actively seeking Jesus to satisfy only their physical needs. A miracle show and a meal, and all for free – who wouldn’t want to get in on those perks? But Jesus knew their hearts and said to them, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with Me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. … I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry again.” John 6:26-27; 35a (NLT)
Just as the body needs nutritious food to be healthy and satisfy physical hunger to sustain life, so the soul needs spiritual food to thrive. To satisfy our spiritual hunger and sustain our souls, we need the bread of life. In John 6:35a (NLT), Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry again.” Unlike the natural bread that can only satisfy us temporarily, Jesus can satisfy our appetite for life with purpose and meaning. But just as natural bread must be eaten to satisfy our hunger, so Christ must be invited into our daily lives to sustain us spiritually. What a description of the intimate and personal connection Christ seeks to have with you and me. Just as no one can eat a meal for you to fill your hunger, your need for Christ can only be satisfied when you come to Him. In the beatitudes, Jesus gave a blessing with a promise. He said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
Do you hunger and thirst for something more than this life can satisfy? More than religion can deliver? More than just going to church or reading your Bible can offer? Don’t starve yourself to death looking at the menu. Come to Christ and be filled! He is the Bread of Life! That’s food for your soul! The Psalmist cried, “Taste and see that the LORD is good….” Psalm 34:8 (NLT)
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.