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Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35)
There's something about bread that I can't explain, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying it! Bread is a universal staple for most peoples; a grain based substance for sustenance. I have some vivid smell memories from my childhood and youth; the smell of bakeries baking fresh bread every day. The first was on Broadway Street in San Antonio. If you came at the right time and drove along Broadway from downtown heading towards Brackenridge Park you could smell the fresh bread. That aroma ranks high among most people. And, you could see the baked loaves making their way in the process in what seemed like a theme ride roller coaster in the big window facing the street. As a seminarian at Perkins at SMU, the aroma of fresh bread would waif its way to the campus, bringing with it smiles and good thoughts about bread.
Many a diet has been ruined by bread. We know why, but can't accept that most doctors will tell us who wish to lose a few pounds, to quit bread for a while. "But we just bought a new bread maker! It's the most amazing machine! You put in the right ingredients before work, go work, come home to the sweetest smelling environment you ever had in your home and open the lid and enjoy fresh bread!" Nah, too many carbs...
Jesus' statement comes to those hungry. Some were hungry physically. They had heard of the miracle of the loaves and fishes and wanted a taste. When the Texas Roadhouse opened in a community in which we lived, what was immediately shared about that new restaurant? "Hey, as soon as you walk in, they give you a basket of hot rolls! Hot rolls!" (They thought we didn't hear the first time!). I gave the wait person a hard time because I not only wanted the sweet butter that came with it, I wanted jelly! "Sir, we don't have jelly." Can I bring some from home next time? "I suppose." Most, if not all, of the people listening to Jesus on that day had a hunger that real bread could not satisfy. So, Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." A connection with Jesus; a surrender of our lives to the One who satisfies, will do just that. Those who came to Jesus as they had their sins removed, they also had their spirits filled with the joy of hope and love. Plain bread could never do that. Our hunger for God, and our thirst for righteousness would find fulfillment, eternal fulfillment in Christ Jesus. Watch a worship service crowd and see if you can spot those whose faces show their being filled with spiritual nourishment; you can tell. What would you see if you held up a mirror to your face during that same worship time?
I am the bread of Life. Jesus still offers that to you, dear *|FNAME|*. All you have to say with faith is, fill me, Jesus.
PRAYER: Loving Father, for all You provide, thank You! For the bread of life, thank You too! May we be filled today and all days with the bread that always hits the spot. May our thirsts also be quenched in You; this we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Please forward this to someone you know will be blessed by this!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Requests and Updates: Dear friend, please hold Alison Davis in your prayers. She is set to come home today after a few days in the hospital. Your prayers have made this possible; pray for her recovery. The funeral service for baby Joaquin Ellis will be Tuesday morning in Weslaco, TX. This has been a most difficult time for his family, including our Katrina and Brian Sherman, his aunt and uncle. Please hold them up in prayer. We have an update on Laura Silva's needed medical attention. Laura is set for a followup dr's appointment on Monday, Feb. 5th with surgery set for Friday the 9th at UT Southwestern Hospital in Dallas. Recovery is expected to be 5 or 6 days in the hospital. Dear one, I encourage you to worship at the church of your choice. This is the Lord's Day and prayers and worship bless our souls. Make time for God today!
