Fresh Bread ... Yes, please!

October 28th, 2020

I love the smell and taste of home baked fresh bread. The way the aroma fills the house, entices your senses until you get to taste it and enjoy it. Of course, now, if you are like me, your mouth is watering and desiring some.

I wonder if that is what Jesus’ followers were desiring again in John 6:25-35.

“When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
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.”

The disciples had just witnessed Jesus feeding the 5000 with a sack lunch of five loaves of bread and two fish. I am sure it was good bread which satisfied all there as well as the disciples. Now, they were wanting more and wondering where He had been. Thus starts the teachings of Jesus. His question for His followers and us is, “What fills us?”

If we examine ourselves there are many, many things that seem to answer the question of what fills us; but the things of this world always leave us desiring more. That is exactly what Jesus’ point is. Why do we chase after the things of this world that will leave us desiring more. . .things that rot away, spoil and fade? Things like possessions, pride, position, security and on and on. Now I don’t want to say we should not use such things for what they are intended (earthly sustainability), but we should not desire them and expect them to fill us in ways which they can’t.

Jesus wants to fill you. His life, death and resurrection were to fulfill that which we could not. If we turn to him as our Bread of life, then we will be filled forever.

I would love to end this devotion there, but I can't. Our minds are probably saying, that sounds great, but I have questions. There is so much happening in today's world, leaving us with many questions. We are let down by so many things. Yes, that is correct. We are let down by so many things and will continue to be discouraged if we try to find our "fill" in the things of this world. That was Jesus' exact point, and He will listen to your questions and wonderings but, ultimately, point you to Himself and finding true filling in Him.

4832 Pondering:
What are you trying to fill your life with?
How does Jesus satisfy your life?
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