More Bread?

I buy groceries with good intentions. I mean for us to eat at home more often. I make my mental list and bring home enough perishables for several meals at a time. Invariably life happens and the produce that sits in that little crisper drawer in the bottom of the refrigerator wilts and the bread in the bread basket becomes moldy. Surely I only bought those things a few days ago, but no. Two weeks have passed. Even the leftovers I intended for my lunch have spoiled. So much for my good intentions, I think. I need something that lasts!

Jesus fed a multitude from just a few fish and loaves and then He crossed the Sea of Galilee under cover of darkness. “The next morning, the crowds were still on the opposite shore of the lake, near the place where they had eaten the bread he had multiplied after he had given thanks to God. Yet Jesus was nowhere to be found. They realized that only one boat had been there and that Jesus’ hadn’t boarded, and they concluded that his disciples had left him behind. So when the people saw on the shoreline a number of small boats from Tiberias and realized Jesus and the disciples weren’t there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to search for him.

When they finally found him, they asked him, “Teacher, how did you get here?”

Jesus replied, “Let me make this very clear, you came looking for me because I fed you by a miracle, not because you believe in me. Why would you strive for food that is perishable and not be passionate to seek the food of eternal life, which never spoils?”

It’s an excellent question. I think about all of the effort and mental energy I expend on temporary things. Granted, they are also necessary things. Laundry doesn’t wash itself. If I want to eat, even carry out requires an effort. I spent several hours this morning planning for an event that will last for only two hours and another two arranging a long weekend trip. Jesus asked why the people made such an effort to seek Him out. He knew they wanted another miracle, but He had so much more to offer.

“I, the Son of Man, am ready to give you what matters most, for God the Father has destined me for this purpose.”

They replied, “So what should we do if we want to do God’s work?”

“What does God want from us? What works does he want us to do?” (John 6:28 NIRV)

Jesus answered, “The work you can do for God starts with believing in the One he has sent.”

“Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. Come every day to me and you will never be hungry. Believe in me and you will never be thirsty.

They selectively latched on to only what they wanted to hear. “Come every day to Me and you will never be hungry.” Bread. Fish. Everyone eats their fill with plenty to spare. “Here, Jesus. What can you do with my lunch?” But Jesus wanted them to think less on the physical and much more of the spiritual. They were hungry today and they would be again tomorrow. Their stomachs made them seek food to sustain them, but Jesus wanted them to see that He came to do what no one else could- to give them life!

Jesus continued, “It has been written by the prophets, ‘They will all be taught by God himself.’

If you are really listening to the Father and learning directly from him, you will come to me.

“I speak to you living truth: Unite your heart to me and believe—and you will experience eternal life!

“I am the Bread of Life. Come every day to me and you will never be hungry. Believe in me and you will never be thirsty.”

John 6:22-29, 35 TPT

https://bible.com/bible/1849/jhn.6.22-35.TPT

Jesus asks, “Why all this striving? It’s food. It’s perishable. Why are you not this passionate to seek the food of eternal life, which never spoils?” They sought Jesus to fill their stomachs. They watched His movements and followed Him across a lake. Surely they had homes, families, responsibilities. They’d already spent the day listening to Jesus teach and the night waiting to see what He would do next. Jesus acknowledged their effort, but He knew their heart was not in the right place. They wanted another miracle and another, day after day, so they baited Jesus.

“They waffled: “Why don’t you give us a clue about who you are, just a hint of what’s going on? When we see what’s up, we’ll commit ourselves. Show us what you can do.

Moses fed our ancestors with bread in the desert. It says so in the Scriptures: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

Jesus responded, “The real significance of that Scripture is not that Moses gave you bread from heaven but that my Father is right now offering you bread from heaven, the real bread. The Bread of God came down out of heaven and is giving life to the world.”

They jumped at that: “Master, give us this bread, now and forever!”

Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever. I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen me in action, you don’t really believe me.

Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go.”

John 6:28-37 MSG

https://bible.com/bible/97/jhn.6.28-38.MSG

Jesus offers Himself to satisfy my greatest need. He is the Bread that gives life. His death and resurrection satisfied my debt. He took my place. He redeemed me. His substitutionary sacrifice means my sin- past, present, and future- is forgiven and that He lives in me. I daily consume His Word and it gives me strength for each day. His Word gives me clarity and vision and purpose. I desire His will above all else, and I can say with Christ, “I have food to eat you know nothing about. The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started.”

John 4:32, 34 MSG

https://bible.com/bible/97/jhn.4.32-34.MSG