The Bread That Fills Forever
After feeding 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish, the crowd chased after Him, hungry for more bread. But instead of sating their hunger, He tells them to stop hoping for food that spoils. Rather, He says, they should seek food that endures to eternal life.
Jesus knows our physical hunger, but He also knows the greater hunger of our souls. Beneath our roaring stomachs is an even louder cry—for forgiveness, reconciliation, and life with God. That’s why He declares:
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
John 6:51 (NIV)
This isn’t about bread that fills for a day; it’s about the bread of His body, given for the life of the world.
Sitting with His disciples in the Upper Room before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, Jesus breaks bread with them, saying, “This is my body, given for you.” It’s the first communion, a meal of forgiveness and eternal life.
Today, Jesus still invites us to His table, where grace overflows and every seat is filled with love. He calls us to stop chasing what won’t last and instead feast on what will.
There’s one table, one meal, and one bread that satisfies forever. Let’s come hungry for Jesus and leave filled with his life. “Whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
Note after sharing the devotional: Jesus is so many things, the Son of God, the Word, the Light, the Way / Truth / Life, and yes, even the Bread of Life. The passage from which this post's devotional draws is from earlier in Jesus's ministry. But when I think of Jesus as the Bread of Life, I think of the Last Supper, which, as this post is running on Maundy Thursday, is what is commemorated in church services all over the world on this day.
Brief definition on Maundy, since I always thought the word was a little strange and rather unvernacular: according to Christianity.com, Christ's "mandate" is commemorated on Maundy Thursday---"maundy" being a shortened form of mandatum (Latin), which means "command."
So what is Jesus's command?
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34, NKJV
The command is clear and dovetails what Jesus has said earlier in His ministry:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. Deuteronomy 6:4-6, NKJV
Oh, wait, that was from Deuteronomy. Here's what Jesus actually said:
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40, NKJV
So it maybe wasn't a "new" commandment, but I believe Jesus was trying to say that, despite what Hebrew tradition may have taught them up until that point, loving one another was (and is) a critically important component for walking with God (and from a modern perspective, always has been critically important). It may not have been clear to the Hebrews at that time; therefore, it was important to spell it out so that there was no mistaking it. Yes, Maundy Thursday (and the Last Supper), from today's perspective, also anticipates Jesus's arrest, trials, and crucifixion. However, I think what may have gotten lost in all this is that this was also to commemorate His mandate: love one another, as He has loved you and me.
Prayer: God, thank You for Jesus, the living bread who satisfies my deepest hunger. Teach me to seek what endures -- Your forgiveness, love, and eternal life. Help me to trust in Your provision and come to Your table with a heart open to Your grace. Fill me with Your life today. In Jesus's name, Amen.
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