Bread!

Bread!

Then Jesus said, “I am the bread that gives life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry. No one who believes in me will ever be thirsty. John 6:35 ERV

Let's put today's extract in the right context. More than 5,000 men, beside women and children had just been fed with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. The people could see a king in Jesus, someone who could meet their need for daily, human sustenance. The men came from all around, looking for him. When I deal with God, I must be careful of my intentions: why am I seeking Him? Is it only for the sake of human existence, or have I found God to be good for all times and seasons?

Jesus had to correct a lot of impressions the people had about Him. Men would only naturally pursue after the things that could sustain the outward; Jesus was more concerned about the inward. There is bread, and there is bread. There is a bread that satisfies human hunger, but there is a bread that literally satisfies spiritual as well as physical hunger. Which one do you pursue after? There is a bread that brings sorrow, affliction and leanness, and there is a bread that is and gives life. There is a bread that upholds disappointment and pain; there is a bread that births and sustains life.

As always, I get to choose the endgame. Jesus has already introduced himself to me, and as is His custom, He doesn't hide the consequences of every choice away from me. If I come to Him, there is a guarantee of daily sustenance and filling. Note, He does not say that there will be no trials or tough times; He just promises me His ever-abiding grace. I have to come to Him; I have to believe in Him. It is not just about hearing about Him, loving the stories about Him, enjoying the accounts of men of old about Him or just sitting in the assembly of other good/nice people. It is not enough: the difference is in the application of Faith to all I hear, read and know about Him.

I have to believe in Him and accept Him as Lord and Saviour, if it must all make sense. If I will enjoy the full package made available in and through Christ, I must approach Him under his terms, not mine. The end is assured; God awaits my decision and approach. His time of favour is here.