October 15 - Give Us This Bread

Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." So they said to Him, "What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? "Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'HE GAVE THEM BREAD OUT OF HEAVEN TO EAT.'" Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world." Then they said to Him, "Lord, always give us this bread." John 6:28-34 NASB

From The Message: To that they said, “Well, what do we do then to get in on God’s works?” Jesus said, “Throw your lot in with the One that God has sent. That kind of a commitment gets you in on God’s works.” They waffled: “Why don’t you give us a clue about who you are, just a hint of what’s going on? When we see what’s up, we’ll commit ourselves. Show us what you can do. Moses fed our ancestors with bread in the desert. It says so in the Scriptures: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus responded, “The real significance of that Scripture is not that Moses gave you bread from heaven but that my Father is right now offering you bread from heaven, the real bread. The Bread of God came down out of heaven and is giving life to the world.” They jumped at that: “Master, give us this bread, now and forever!” John 6:28-34

These people actually want to work? No. They really just want to be fed—like the Hebrew people who ate manna in the wilderness. Feed Me! Bread gives life. Bread of heaven gives eternal life. People have to work—to believe to get that bread. Once again Jesus is telling them—look I’m telling you the truth, My Father will give eternal life. No signs or miracles are needed—just believe.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray…Give us this day our daily bread…Matthew 6:11. Some have said that is just necessary food, and other teach it includes spiritual as well as physical food. What spiritual food have you been feeding on today? Just like physical food…we are what we eat, spiritual food has the same effect on us…we are what we eat. It is important to feed ourselves daily. I know that if time goes by and I haven’t been reading scripture, I get cranky and out of sorts. I guess I quickly drift away from becoming like Jesus. I need my mind renewed daily. See Romans 12:2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. NASB It is becoming a favorite verse of mine.

It all seems just too simple, Lord. We just have to believe? So, I believe—You are the Son of God, the real bread of Heaven. No signs or miracles needed. Transform my mind today that I would be pleasing to You.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.