August 6th, 2021
This week's lectionary text comes from John 6, verse 35 and then verses 41-51. Multiple times in these verses, Jesus refers to himself as the bread of life. He says "I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never be hungry". "I am the bread of life that came down from heaven". "I am the bread of life, whoever eats of this bread will never die". Most often our Biblical studying will go deep into the meaning of the bread symbolism, how it relates to the bread falling from heaven in the Old Testament and then the connections made to the New Testament and the breaking of bread at the communion table. These theological conversations are important, and reading into them can deepen our faith in powerful ways. But it an also be helpful to take a much more basic approach to Biblical study.
Bread is food. We need food every day. Actually, we need food several times throughout the day. So, Jesus relating himself to something that people need multiple times every single day teaches us that we need Jesus throughout every single day as well. It teaches us that refilling our spirits is just as important as refilling our bodies. It teaches us that just worshiping on Sunday isn't enough. It's great, but it shouldn't be the only thing we do with our faith. It teaches us that refilling our faith once a week isn't enough, once a day isn't even enough.
If we only ate once a day, our bodies would tell us it needs nourishment. If we only had something to drink once a day, our bodies would let us know it needs refreshment. So, we eat multiple times a day and rehydrate multiple times a day. But how often do we refill our spirits with the bread of life that is Jesus? How often do we pray? How often do we read God's Word? By being the bread of life, Jesus is offering us the spiritual nourishment and strength that we need. So, let's take it! Let's let Jesus into our lives not just once a week or once a day, but several times every day! Please let us know how Jesus makes you feel full. Amen!
Blessings,
Reverend Dave
Bread is food. We need food every day. Actually, we need food several times throughout the day. So, Jesus relating himself to something that people need multiple times every single day teaches us that we need Jesus throughout every single day as well. It teaches us that refilling our spirits is just as important as refilling our bodies. It teaches us that just worshiping on Sunday isn't enough. It's great, but it shouldn't be the only thing we do with our faith. It teaches us that refilling our faith once a week isn't enough, once a day isn't even enough.
If we only ate once a day, our bodies would tell us it needs nourishment. If we only had something to drink once a day, our bodies would let us know it needs refreshment. So, we eat multiple times a day and rehydrate multiple times a day. But how often do we refill our spirits with the bread of life that is Jesus? How often do we pray? How often do we read God's Word? By being the bread of life, Jesus is offering us the spiritual nourishment and strength that we need. So, let's take it! Let's let Jesus into our lives not just once a week or once a day, but several times every day! Please let us know how Jesus makes you feel full. Amen!
Blessings,
Reverend Dave
No Comments