Devotion:
Read John 6:35-40.
John records a total of seven “I am…” statements by Jesus. Each of these is a metaphor in which Jesus is helping us to understand his identity and nature. He declares himself the good shepherd, the light of the world, the living vine, and here he states that he is the “bread of life.” In the passage we read yesterday, he pointed to his feeding of the crowd as a sign from God. When the crowd begins to see that he offers more than free food for their stomachs, they express a desire for that. Acknowledging that bread (food) is essential to our lives, Jesus offers himself as spiritual food.
If we pause to think about this, Jesus is teaching us that, just as our physical needs are real and are met by God’s care for us, our spiritual needs are real and even more important. Most of the people in the crowd that day still did not get it (verse 36). We are called to believe deeply, to take him in as the real bread of life. If we do that, Jesus says we will never be hungry or thirsty again. This is telling us that, in Christ, we have total spiritual fulfillment. And if we truly believe, we have the precious gift of eternal life.
Personal Worship Option:
Forgive me, Almighty God, for spending so much of my life and even my time in prayer focused on my physical needs and wants. Help me to trust you to provide those and empower me to spend my life truly believing in your Son. Increase my faith, I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!
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