Food

Food

Yes, I am the bread of life!

John 6:48

It’s noteworthy that Jesus was born in a town whose name means “house of bread”—Bethlehem. Most of us eat bread. Whether we bake it or buy it, bread is a staple food. It’s basic to life.

Imagine what it would have been like to be on the hillside when Jesus blessed the five loaves of bread and two fish, multiplying them to feed thousands of hungry people. The miracle was amazing, but also amazing was the response of the crowd. After seeing Jesus provide them with food, the people wanted to make him king. Why? Not because they believed he was the Messiah, but because they thought he could provide them many material things. The people were so caught up in having their immediate physical needs met that they missed the real significance of the event—that Jesus is the bread of life. Jesus knew that they desired the bread more than they desired him.

May we not miss the truth that we need Jesus as our staple—that the Bread of Life who was born in the town called “house of bread” wants to be our spiritual food each day of our lives.

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.^a

Father,

Thank you that you are the bread of life and that you can meet all our hopes and fears. Amen.