I suppose that most of you reading this are pretty familiar with the story of the Exodus, that is, the time recorded in the Old Testament when the children of Israel left their bondage in Egypt and headed for the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And, I suppose that you remember that once they crossed the sea on dry land as the waters parted, they found themselves in the dessert with no food or water. Of course, a basic spiritual principle is found here – If God calls you out of your comfort zone, He will provide for your needs. That’s what He did for the Israelites, and maybe He’s doing that with some of you now.
Even though the people complained about their lack of food (I’m pretty sure that we would have done the same), God promised that He would “rain down bread from heaven” (Ex. 16:4).Each morning, there was a layer of dew on the ground, and when the dew evaporated, there was “…a fine flake-like thing, and they called itmanna. It was like coriander seed, white, and its taste was like wafers with honey” (Ex. 16:31).I’m pretty sure that it was no “In-N-Out Burger” experience, but it was basic sustenance. Interestingly, God provided it each day during their time of wandering in the wilderness. Furthermore, they could only gather enough for each day. They could not store it up for future use or it would gather mold.
Fast forward about 1,400 years, and here is what Jesus said to the crowd that had gathered to hear Him teach: “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died….I am the living bread that has come down from heaven, and if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh” (Jn. 6:48-51). Of course, what He was talking about was giving His life on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. But there is more.
Jesus continued by saying, “…unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life…” (Jn. 6:53-54).At this point, many who were listening to Jesus left Him because they thought He was encouraging cannibalism, with Jesus Himself being the “victim.” Jesus is using these words as a metaphor for having an “intimate relationship” with Him as well as with the words which He spoke throughout His ministry. This imagery is not new, as the Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah said, “When I discovered your words, I devoured them, and they became my joy and my heart’s delight, … (Jer. 15:16).
Jesus concluded this discourse by saying, “I am the true bread which has come down out of heaven, not as the fathers ate and died; but he who eats ‘this bread’ shall live forever (Jn. 6:58).In this bread, we find “life,” and this is true nourishment for our souls. If you are hungry for some real food, not even an “In-N-Out” burger will suffice. Each of us must “eat” of Jesus and His life-changing words each day, and just like the manna in the wilderness, it is sufficient for each day. If we don’t eat for a day, we get hungry, and if we don’t eat for many days, we begin to starve.
From Hungry to FilledJesus told the woman at the well that if she drank of the living water that He provides she would never be thirsty again. In like manner, Jesus is telling His disciples that if they will “eat” of Him and His life-giving words, they we will never be hungry again. So, go ahead and take a bite. Open your Bible and feast on His words, and you will find that His food is delicious and satisfying!
