“He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV).
Bread is critical to life. It has been labeled the “staff of life.” Since ancient times, variations of bread have been the staple food for numerous cultures. Some types of bread are simple to prepare and basically use some form of ground grain, legume, or seed mixed with water quickly cooked over stones and kettles. Some forms of bread involve cultures, yeasts, and exotic ingredients consuming many hours of preparation and special ovens days to cook.
Is it by the created substance of bread that we have life or is it from the Creator of life that we are given bread to live? God’s provision was to give his children wandering in the wilderness bread as manna so they might have life. Yet it was His word that brought about the manna by which they had life. Without His word, there was no provision of bread or life.
Beyond God’s provision of bread for life is the far greater bread of eternal life. There is a bread of life beyond what can be consumed by the flesh and this living bread is Jesus Christ. We must never forget this simple reality … Jesus Christ is the “Bread of Life” and we will only be filled and satisfied in our hearts when we seek His words and His presence. Only His bread brings real life now and life eternally.
“Do not labor for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life which the Son of Man will give to you” (John 6:27 ESV).
“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty’” (John 6:35 NIV).
Connecting with Christ Readings … Deuteronomy 8 & John 6
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