Introducing Jesus: "I am the bread of life"
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Scripture: "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'" John 6:35
In the past, I have practiced fasting. Usually I will fast from my phone, TV, social media or some form of technology. But, this year, our pastor taught on fasting and encouraged us that the biblical definition of fasting is fasting from food.
I've never loved cooking so after feeling convicted by the sermon, I thought "sure, I can fast from food, it will be easy."
I did the Daniel fast, and it was so far from easy.
But I learned so much about myself and about God through the experience, and now, I've made fasting a regular part of my spiritual life.
When I began my fast, within the first week I was confronted by how natural consumption is for me. Because I was limiting food, I naturally wanted to consume in other areas of my life. Sooo pretty quickly I was booking AirBnBs super far in advance, doing a lot of online shopping, and was more drawn to Netflix shows that never seemed interesting before.
Eventually, I noticed what I was doing. Because I was fasting from many of my favorite foods, I was finding other ways to consume. For me, fasting was one of the first times I noticed how natural it was for me to want more. If it wasn't food, it was more vacation time, more clothes, more TV shows.
I think Jesus knew this when He chose to introduce Himself to us in this way, "I am the bread of life."
Immediately, Jesus spoke to a core need and desire we have as humans, and presented Himself as the solution to satisfy it. It's kind of a big deal.
In context of the full chapter of this passage in John, Jesus had already been working many signs and wonders.
One that came before this was feeding five thousand people with five loaves and two fish. Everyone ate, was fully satisfied, and there was food left over. Jesus introduced Himself as "the bread of life" after demonstrating His power to feed us when we feel like we are faced with "not enough."
You might feel like you are faced with "not enough" today.
It might be not enough peace or endurance for a season you're in, or maybe it's a practical need like not having enough friends or not having enough financial provision.
Jesus presented Himself to us as the solution. His promise is that you will never hunger. It was His promise throughout scripture from Isaiah 49:10 to John 6:35 to Revelation 7:16.
Life in Christ is a life that is promised to be full and abundant. There is no such thing as "not enough" in the Kingdom of God.
Journaling Prompts:
-How have you seen God practically meet your needs recently?
-Is there an area of your life that seems to be ruled by a "not enough" mentality?
-Picture yourself in the passage hearing Jesus introduce Himself as the "bread of life." What are your thoughts or feelings?
Action Step:
Ask God to move in an area of your life where you feel like you don't have enough. Remind yourself that God is capable of meeting your needs and is enough Himself when you are tempted to believe there is not enough.
Prayer:
God thank you for being Enough. Thank you for meeting our needs and for being a God who gives abundant life to us freely. Help us to see your provision for us through who you are to us throughout the week. Help us to rest in the profound truth that in you we have everything. Amen.
