I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE
In the previous post, I posted how God in the Old Testament revealed Himself to Moses as "I AM" God says "I AM WHO I AM". It is important to know God's name JEHOVAH YAHWEH.
Jesus reveals Himself as I AM as well in the New Testament in John 8:58 when he says "Assuredly I say to you before Abraham was, I AM." In John 6:35, Jesus says " I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."
Thinking on the Bread of Life, my three year old son reminded me of Satan and Jesus in the dessert. Satan told Jesus to turn the rocks/stones into bread because he knew Jesus had not eaten in 40 days. Jesus answered "It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4).
About three or four weeks ago when we read devotionals on God being our bread these are the thoughts on bread that we remembered and talked about:
1. Jesus says He is the bread of life - John 6:35
2. Jesus taught us to pray "Give us each day our daily bread" in the Lord's Prayer - Luke 11:3
3. Jesus says we don't live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God - Matthew 4:4
4. Jesus says in John 6:35 and John 6:48 and John 6:51- I am the bread of life.
5. Jesus talked about how their fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and are dead. He goes on to say This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. "I am the living bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and that I give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." John 6:47-51. Jesus says these words in John 6:31-34.
6. Communion and how Jesus body is the bread. His body was broken for us.
It would be important to read all of John 6:22-59. The word bread is mentioned at least 13 times with other references to food, manna and loaves.
Jesus says "he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in Me and I in him." (John 6:56).
Jesus says something to the people who followed him to Capernaum. They had followed Jesus by boat. They wanted to know when Jesus came here. Jesus replied "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled." (John 6:26) This talk of Jesus being the bread is right after the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand at the start of John 6. In v. 12 of chapter 6, we see the people are filled. At first in verse two they followed him because of the His signs. Then they sat all day listening to Jesus. They heard His words. After they were filled with the bread, there was more bread left over than when they started. There were 12 baskets filled. I am seeing this again how God's provisions are never exhausted even if it starts with just 5 loaves to feed 5000. His words are life. Filled and strongs word #5526 of chortazo came to signify being satisfied with food in abundance.
Jesus says he came to give us abundant life. In John 10:10, Jesus says "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
In Philippians 4:19, we read "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Jesus goes on to tell the people to not labor for food which perishes but for the food which endures to everlasting life which he gives. (John 6:27).
The Bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and GIVES LIFE TO THE WORLD. The food Jesus gives endures to everlasting life The people ask Jesus, What shall we do they ask that we may work the works of God?
Jesus replies "THIS is the work of God, that you believe in Him who He sent (v. 28,29).
In v. 36, Jesus says they don't believe. Jesus goes on to say in v. 40 that the will of Him who sent me is that everyone who sees the son and believes in Him may have everlasting lift and I will raise him up at the last day.
What is God's will - to believe in Him? How do we believe in Him - sees teh son and believes in Him. God is the one who draws us. Then we seek. In John 6:45 = "And they shall all be taught by God. Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me."
This discussion in Chapter 6 of John is what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman in Chapter 4 of John. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that the water he gives will become a spring of water flowing inside him and it will give eternal life. After this encounter with the Samaritan woman, Jesus disciples are trying to get him to eat as he has not eaten all day. Jesus tells them that he has food to eat that you know nothing about. The disciples were confused and wondered if someone brought Jesus food that they didn't know about. Jesus said "My food is to do what the One who sent me wants me to do. My food is to finish the work that he gave me to do." Then Jesus goes on to say that the fields are ready for harvesting now meaning there are many people ready to believe onto Jesus, obey and be His followers onto eternal life.(John 4:31-39).
Believes onto Jesus means obedience. We cannot say we believe Jesus if we are not following His words. Many will look for a new "sign" or a new word. God does speak to his people and gives them truth and the truth will set them free. However, the truth Jesus gives of Himself and the truth that truly sets us free is given only to those who continue to obey His teaching. In John chapter 6 we read that the words Jesus speaks are spirit. The words in the Bible are spirit and life. They are not just words on a page not to be obeyed. The Good News is that Jesus came, he died and he rose again to conquer death and sin. Sin no longer has its hold. When we believe and obey and continue in what Jesus taught, we have eternal life. His Holy Spirit is born inside of us and the living waters flowing is the Holy Spirit at work in us. God's words are not burdensome now as He lives in us to accomplish all these. Our part is believing in him = obedience. We depend on Him and Submit to Him because He is our life.
Abiding in Jesus is continue to eat of his flesh and drink of His blood. This means obedience. This article explains this well. http://loveintruth.com/amf-docs/flesh1.htm
This discussion in Chapter 6 of John is what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman in Chapter 4 of John. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that the water he gives will become a spring of water flowing inside him and it will give eternal life. After this encounter with the Samaritan woman, Jesus disciples are trying to get him to eat as he has not eaten all day. Jesus tells them that he has food to eat that you know nothing about. The disciples were confused and wondered if someone brought Jesus food that they didn't know about. Jesus said "My food is to do what the One who sent me wants me to do. My food is to finish the work that he gave me to do." Then Jesus goes on to say that the fields are ready for harvesting now meaning there are many people ready to believe onto Jesus, obey and be His followers onto eternal life.(John 4:31-39).
Believes onto Jesus means obedience. We cannot say we believe Jesus if we are not following His words. Many will look for a new "sign" or a new word. God does speak to his people and gives them truth and the truth will set them free. However, the truth Jesus gives of Himself and the truth that truly sets us free is given only to those who continue to obey His teaching. In John chapter 6 we read that the words Jesus speaks are spirit. The words in the Bible are spirit and life. They are not just words on a page not to be obeyed. The Good News is that Jesus came, he died and he rose again to conquer death and sin. Sin no longer has its hold. When we believe and obey and continue in what Jesus taught, we have eternal life. His Holy Spirit is born inside of us and the living waters flowing is the Holy Spirit at work in us. God's words are not burdensome now as He lives in us to accomplish all these. Our part is believing in him = obedience. We depend on Him and Submit to Him because He is our life.
Abiding in Jesus is continue to eat of his flesh and drink of His blood. This means obedience. This article explains this well. http://loveintruth.com/amf-docs/flesh1.htm
I keep thinking of the story of the Israelites complaining of the manna sent from heaven to feed them during the 40 years in the wilderness. They kept thinking about the good food they had in Egypt but forgot the mighty hand of God that took them out of slavery. The Israelites were treated cruelly and harshly in Egypt. They had to work hard, long days. They were slaves. They cried out to God. God had hear their cries and sent a deliverer. Now they are complaining and wish they were dead or back in slavery. I am sick of this manna. I am tired of eating it. Likewise, many reject Jesus and would rather be in slavery serving their lusts and desires of the flesh. People walk in darkness and forgot the great benefits God gives through Jesus when our eyes are on our physical appetites. The people continued to murmur we read in Exodus 16 and God sends quail. There is so much quail that the people eat, eat and eat. They die. Likewise when we feed on our our desires rather than believing Jesus is from heaven and is God then we die in disobedience. God desires all men to know him. He has provided for all men.
The manna got sent to his people was not ordinary bread. It fell from heaven during the night and in the darkness. It fell on the dew of the ground. It came every day except the Sabbath. This bread was sweet like honey. Likewise in Psalm 119:103, God says his word is sweeter than honey. The people could gather as much as they were hungry for. The only thing they were not to gather more than they could eat because it would spoil. It would not keep to the next day. Likewise, we need "daily bread" and daily relationship with the Lord. Each day is a new walk of obedience in collecting what Jesus provides in His Written Word which is spirit and life and in Himself, the incarnate word who came down from heaven and lived among us.
In Exodus 16 where we read about the manna, God said he was doing this to see if the people will do what I teach them. Again, it was about obedience to what God says. God told them that the food was for all of them. The people had to go out and gather what they needed for that day. On the sixth day was the only day they could gather twice as much or enough for the following day which was the Sabbath. Some people gathered little and some gathered much. The person who gathered more did not have too much. The person who gathered less did not have too little. Each person gathered just as much as he needed. Moses instructed the people not to keep any of it to the morning as God had said. But some of the people did not listen. They kept part of it until morning (disobedience). God had said the reason he did this was to see if they will do what he taught. The manna they kept until the next day was full of worms and began to stink. The only time you could keep it and it would not rotten was for the Sabbath.
Moses instructed the people like God had said that they had to gather twice the amount before the Sabbath. Again some people did not listen and obey God's instructions. They went out on the Sabbath and did not find any Manny. Then the Lord said to Moses in Exodus 16:28 - "How long will all you people refuse to obey my commands and teachings?" God went on to talk about the obedience of the Sabbath. "Look the Lord has made the Sabbath a day of rest for all of you. So on the sixth day he will give you enough food for two days. But on the Sabbath each of you must stay where you are. Do not leave your house." (Exodus 16:29). This manna was provided 40 years until they came to the promised land, Canaan.
His is an article on the manna:
The manna got sent to his people was not ordinary bread. It fell from heaven during the night and in the darkness. It fell on the dew of the ground. It came every day except the Sabbath. This bread was sweet like honey. Likewise in Psalm 119:103, God says his word is sweeter than honey. The people could gather as much as they were hungry for. The only thing they were not to gather more than they could eat because it would spoil. It would not keep to the next day. Likewise, we need "daily bread" and daily relationship with the Lord. Each day is a new walk of obedience in collecting what Jesus provides in His Written Word which is spirit and life and in Himself, the incarnate word who came down from heaven and lived among us.
In Exodus 16 where we read about the manna, God said he was doing this to see if the people will do what I teach them. Again, it was about obedience to what God says. God told them that the food was for all of them. The people had to go out and gather what they needed for that day. On the sixth day was the only day they could gather twice as much or enough for the following day which was the Sabbath. Some people gathered little and some gathered much. The person who gathered more did not have too much. The person who gathered less did not have too little. Each person gathered just as much as he needed. Moses instructed the people not to keep any of it to the morning as God had said. But some of the people did not listen. They kept part of it until morning (disobedience). God had said the reason he did this was to see if they will do what he taught. The manna they kept until the next day was full of worms and began to stink. The only time you could keep it and it would not rotten was for the Sabbath.
Moses instructed the people like God had said that they had to gather twice the amount before the Sabbath. Again some people did not listen and obey God's instructions. They went out on the Sabbath and did not find any Manny. Then the Lord said to Moses in Exodus 16:28 - "How long will all you people refuse to obey my commands and teachings?" God went on to talk about the obedience of the Sabbath. "Look the Lord has made the Sabbath a day of rest for all of you. So on the sixth day he will give you enough food for two days. But on the Sabbath each of you must stay where you are. Do not leave your house." (Exodus 16:29). This manna was provided 40 years until they came to the promised land, Canaan.
His is an article on the manna:
November is here. At our house, we like to write what we are thankful for on leaves and hang them on our Thanksgiving Tree. Then on Thanksgiving, we can recount our blessings and share them with each other. . This year, my son said we should use our big Christmas tree. I thought this was a good idea because we had more room to write lots of things we are thankful for throughout the day. We are also making loops of thanks to hang all over. We like traditions because they bring our family together to share and celebrate. The tradition for the giving of thanks starts on November 1st when we put up the tree and start writing our leaves of thanks. Then on the day of Thanksgiving, we take down all our leaves of thanks and loops of thanks and read them as a blessing unto the Lord for all He is, has given, has done and is doing in our lives. The day after Thanksgiving (when my parents always put up our tree), we start our Christmas blessings traditions. Actually, the whole thanksgiving four day weekend is filled with much rejoicing.