John 6:24-35 (NRSV)
Read John 6:24-35 on biblegateway.com
Verse 24So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. Verse 25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" Verse 26Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Verse 27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal."
Verse 28Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" Verse 29Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." Verse 30So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Verse 31Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Verse 32Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. Verse 33For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Verse 34They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Verse 35Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Devotion
Bread in some shape or form has been a basic food source since before recorded history. Perhaps this is why bread has become a symbol for life. A form of bread, manna, sustained the Israelites in their Wilderness wanderings. With bread (and a couple of fish) Jesus fed five thousand people, an event so significant it’s recorded in all four gospels. In teaching about our spiritual relationship with God, Jesus says, “I am the Way.” That is, “I am the Bread of Life.” So we seek God through Jesus’ teachings in the Word, praying: “Give us this day our daily bread,” implying everything we need to live and to serve. We unite as one in the Body of Christ when we share communion (from the Latin communio “sharing”) with our companions (from the Latin cum “with” and panis “bread”). We come to the table needy and broken, to know and to receive life. And we go forth filled and healed, loved, forgiven, and empowered by Christ in us to serve.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, your grace is sufficient to feed my every need. I pause to breathe deeply and feast on your restorative Spirit before I begin my journey today. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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