Jesus, Our Bread From Heaven (Message #252)

We all need help and encouragement from time to time. This is true at work, in school and in sports. It is also true in the spiritual realm. This is why the Bible advocates church attendance. "Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another" (Hebrews 10:24-25). We gather around the breakfast table or supper table for physical nourishment.

In the same way, God's people gather once a week for spiritual nourishment. Now the bread, which God gives to sustain people like you and me, is Jesus Christ.  At first this concept may seem strange. But do you remember how God fed the people of Israel when they were in the wilderness after coming out of Egypt? God gave those people bread from heaven. But the ancient Israelites were not thankful to God for this gift of food. As a result, these same people all died in the desert.

Jesus explains that He is living bread. That is, He is able to give people like us needed spiritual nourishment to sustain us in the difficult times of life. Speaking of Himself, He says, "This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died, he who eats this bread shall live forever" (John 6:58). Jesus means that those who come to Him for life and help receive eternal life. They will never suffer eternal death in hell.

It is so important to receive life and nourishment from Christ that the Son of God says, "My flesh is true food" (John 5:55). In other words, as a person needs physical food to survive physically, one also needs Jesus Christ for spiritual survival.

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Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2005 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living Ecstatic Loving: A Christian marriage manual and Life-guide," "Son Salutations" and "Daily Contemplations," which are a collection of read-one-a-day modern inspirations. For more information, visit www.MelanieSchurr.com