Today’s Reading: John 6:35-40
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.’”
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Every faithful Jew would know the significance of Jesus’ “I am” statements. When Moses was called by God to deliver the Israelites from the bondage of Egyptian slavery, he asked God to give him his name so he could tell the Egyptians who was sending him. God responded, “I am who I am.” It was God’s holy name that all Jews sacredly honored for centuries. It was considered so holy that faithful Jews didn’t think it should be uttered.
When Jesus used the “I am” phrase, it was a clear reference to his identity. More specifically, when he said, “I am the bread of life,” he was saying that he alone is the one who can fill the hunger of the human heart.
Jesus nourishes people spiritually. When literal bread is eaten, eventually your hunger returns. But when you ingest Jesus and invite him to live in and with you, he offers a spiritual sustenance that satisfies your soul forever. You will never hunger again. You are eternally satisfied when you hunger and thirst for righteousness.
How do you receive this spiritual food? By believing in him. Believe he is who he says he is. What are your options? Was he a liar? That’s impossible. He is perfect truth. Was he crazy? There is nothing crazy about anything Jesus teaches. His words give sanity to the despairing.
If Jesus is not lying or crazy, what other option is there? He is who he says he is. He is the bread of life. He is God in human flesh. If you partake of his life in you, you are forever satisfied. Your soul will be nourished forever.
God’s Word is true. It gives wise advice for everyday living. It should comfort you. It gives light so that even the simple can understand it. It is more desirable than fine gold, even the finest gold. It is sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. It warns us of potential danger. There is great reward for those who obey it.
Don’t live solely by the bread of this world. It is transient. It won’t last. Rather, live by every word that proceeds from the Lord’s mouth.
Then you’ll experience life as he intended it to be lived. You will know the depth, width, and height of his grace for you. You will experience his inexpressible joy inside your heart. His peace that passes all understanding will be yours. The pressures of life will be moderated. His kindness will consume you. Your decisions that you make throughout the day will be his decisions.
Feast upon Jesus today.
He is your personal bread of life—today and forever.
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]