Bread of Life

I wonder what went through the minds of those in the crowd when they heard Jesus refer to himself as the "Bread of Life"? Can you imagine? The day before, they had witnessed Christ Jesus feed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. They had seen a miracle. So they went in search of him, hoping for more.

Imagine their surprise when they found Christ, and he told them that HE was the Bread of Life, and if they came to him, they would never hunger or thirst. (John 6:35) If I was in that crowd, I might have thought he was off his rocker--how can a person be bread?

Because we now have access to the whole Bible, I have more information to go on, and "Bread of Life" makes so much more sense to me than it probably did to that crowd. Christ was using analogy when he described himself as bread to impress upon the people the importance of what he came to earth to accomplish. The group was searching for temporary, physical sustenance, but Christ was offering them eternal sustainment. His assignment wasn't to provide for the temporary needs of human flesh on earth; Christ's mission was to provide nourishment for the human soul for all of eternity. He was giving them a choice, which would they focus on: the needs of their flesh or the needs of their soul?

While we can't neglect our bodies or our health will suffer, the Christian's life focus should be on our eternal soul's nourishment.

When we choose to have a personal relationship with Christ, we choose what will sustain us for all of eternity. When we embrace Christ as our Savior, we receive the sustenance of eternal life in relationship with the Father!

Today, take a few minutes to reflect on where your focus is. Who, or what, is lord of your life? Are you choosing sustenance that is earthly or eternal? In the long run which option will fulfill you?

Christ came to be the Bread of Life. Let's choose nourishment that will last!

Diana Dodd is the founder and managing editor of the Christian blog site, Joy in Faithful Living. She and her husband Bryan, a career Army officer, have been married for 23 years and lived all over the United States. They currently reside in Kansas with their two girls, ages 16 and 10.

This piece was originally published at Joy in Faithful Living in 2020. They have graciously granted us full permission to re-publish the series here, but we would love for you to visit their site and support their ministry, as well! Check out their work at joyinfaithfulliving.com.