February 10. John 6:22-40
Hello friends and welcome to Day 10 of our study. Today, we look at … bread. First of all, bread has been around just about as long as people have been around. It’s a known commodity in almost every culture. So, how appropriate that Jesus calls Himself the “Bread of Life.” He knew that throughout the centuries in multiple different cultures, this would still make sense to people. Just as bread is pretty basic to life, so is Jesus. We need HIM within us, guiding and directing even more than we might want or need physical bread within us when we are hungry.
The problem with the crowd that followed Jesus in this passage was that they weren’t interested in long-term satisfaction. They just wanted to see Jesus make more food. It was exciting and “magical” in their minds and they wanted another show. This must have grieved the Lord. His words to them show how much He wants them to see past the immediate and recognize that what matters is the eternal. These people are all going to die someday and then they will face judgment. They won’t care about eating bread then. Nope. They’ll wish they had cared more about their final destination.
Do we hunger for the right things? I know how easy it is for me to get distracted by the immediate needs of the day and to give no thought for the things that matter eternally, like the souls of those I know who have yet to meet and receive the true Lord and Bread of Life! Let’s guard ourselves against simply wanting to be “entertained” by God and/or church. Let’s go deeper and eat of the bread that really matters, preparing for the long and everlasting life that will only just begin when we leave behind our earthly bodies in death, and are clothed in imperishable bodies forever! Let’s live for what really matters.
My verse: John 6:29 “Jesus told them, ‘This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
My response: Oh Father!! How You love us. You don’t want us to perform with prowess to impress you somehow. The only “work” is to believe in You – to turn toward You and know You – the One who made us, the One who saves us. Lord, I believe. Make my faith ever stronger even if harder days come to me, please.
