August 29, 2004

Daily Bread

I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. —John 6:51

Bible In One Year: Psalms 126-128; 1 Corinthians 10:19-33

Bread has come to be regarded as something less than what it was in Bible times. We don't usually think of it as a symbol of life's necessities. In Jesus' day, however, bread represented nourishment in all its many forms.

This helps us understand why the Lord told Israel to put bread in the Holy Place of the tabernacle—His "house of symbols." There in that first room, 12 loaves were to be displayed on a golden table "before the Lord" (Leviticus 24:6). Those loaves re-minded Israel that God always provides for His own when they come to Him on His terms. The bread reflected God's promise to provide for all who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6; 6:31-34).

For the believer in Christ, bread may represent the Bible, Jesus, Christian fellowship, or any of the provisions God has made for our spiritual needs. He cares for us and He's ready to feed us, but His offer is not unconditional. He promised to provide daily "bread" for those who in obedience have separated themselves to live and to eat from the hand of God.

The Lord cares for all who willingly and humbly receive their physical and spiritual food from Him. —Mart De Haan

In You, O Lord, we take delight,
Our every need You can supply;
We long to do what's true and right,
So, Lord, on You we will rely. —D. De Haan

Only Christ the Living Bread can satisfy our spiritual hunger.