3.13.20. | BREAD OR FRIEND
“Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35
You rever read the Bible and either say, “yah, I know that or what the heck are they talking about?” I feel like if you read this verse on it’s own, your like, ummm ok, what is this all about?
First off, let’s rewind the chapter.
If you hadn’t read it, let me give a couple highlights.
Jesus feeds filet of fish sandwiches to 5,000 people.
He also calms the storm.
Both, pretty epic moments.
So, when we walk into verse 35, these same people who he gave a filet of fish sandwich to are now looking for more food. They want the food, they want the bread. They want the stuff.
There is a ton of stuff in the Bible about bread.
Moses feeds the Israelites bread.
During the last supper, the bread became the body of Christ.
Jesus multiplied loaves of bread.
Lots of different bread moments in the Bible.
While the crowds around him are asking for more bread, Jesus replies and tells them, “I am the bread.”
Imagine what they would be thinking?
Right, you’re the bread?
Kinda tough to drizzle olive oil on you and make a nice sandwich.
They were probably racking their brains.
Bread, bread, bread … what does it mean?
He’s the bread, what’s that mean?
I’ll never hunger again, what’s that mean?
As a parent of three, there is nothing I wouldn’t do for my kids.
When I can, I give to them.
But when they only see the stuff, it becomes a problem.
If I feel they want me or someone else to be around just to buy them something, we have a problem.
They’ve missed the point of the gifts.
They’ve missed the point of the blessings.
They want the stuff, but not me?
Awe, hell naw!
The same is happening here in John.
Jesus has fed them a nice fish sandwich.
They want more fish sandwiches.
And Jesus is basically saying, “you’re missing the point homie.”
I’ve got way more bread than you can imagine.
In fact, I am the bread.
I am everything!
I’ve missed this so many times.
Praying for the blessings of Jesus.
Only looking for what God can BRING to my life.
I needed more money, more bread, more money, more bread.
And Jesus is like, “Anthony, bro … cmon man? You know I’ve got way more for you. Stop staring at the stuff.”
In times like with Covid-19 all around us, we may only be looking to Jesus for protection or healing. Maybe we see him as a sugar daddy for more toilet paper, canned food or hand sanitzer. Let me just tell you, He’s WAY MORE than all that.
I want to include this link from Tony Evans who has a great piece on the names of God. Take some time, get to know these names and the power of them. Tony Evans: Names of God
Lastly, let’s pray:
Jesus, we need you.
You’re so much more than bread in our life.
Help me to see and know you more.
Get worry out of my view to focus on you.
You’re my friend, not just a bread dealer.
I love you.
If they can make penicillin out of mouldy bread, they can sure make something out of you. Muhammed Ali
https://open.spotify.com/track/2ZthlDYc4GcAC7i3dR7Uw8?si=yOTjNFI8RHyfJSiSS54OOw
