Daily Bread

As a kid, I remember sitting around our kitchen table. Next to the salt and pepper shakers, there was a small plastic loaf of bread with a large rectangular slot in the top. The slot held dozens and dozens of little cards with verses printed on the front and back. We'd take a verse out, talk about it, and have daily bread with our dinner. The annoying part came when my little brother would knock the little box over, sending dozens of cards across the table and onto the floor. Guess who had to pick them all up!

In John 6, Jesus makes a powerful statement. This statement was the first of seven "I am" statements that Jesus makes in John (remember there are seven signs too - seven is the number of God).

After miraculously feeding over 5,000 people by multiplying a little boy's fish sandwich, Jesus said "I'm the bread of life."

What does physical bread do for us? Bread satisfies our hunger. (Pass the Texas Roadhouse rolls and honey butter, please!) In the same way, Jesus satisfies the hunger of our souls for belonging, for purpose, for a fulfilling life. Bread has to be eaten daily and constantly. Just ask the Israelites who were fed in the wilderness with manna from God! Jesus compared Himself to the manna from heaven in verse 32.

Bottom line: We need more of Jesus every single day if we want our spiritual hunger to be fulfilled. We need daily bread - encouragement from His Word, intimacy and connection with Him in prayer, and guidance from Him for the decisions we make, big and small. He'll give it if we ask Him. How do I know that? Jesus said "Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again" (verse 35). That's good news!