Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Food for thought

February 15

There are a few things around the world that are staples; potatoes, rice, noodles, coffee and tea. Every country of the nearly 100 where I have traveled have at least two of these. One constant is bread. It may come in different forms and made from different ingredients but I don’t think I have been in one culture that doesn’t have some kind of bread. Growing up there were few enjoyments that hit all the senses like coming home to a fresh baked piece of bread. I could smell it before I came in the house, the feel of tearing off a piece from the loaf or bun, the sight of the golden brown crust, but the taste of that fresh piece of bread; straight, smothered in butter or smothered in jam was a little piece of heaven for a growing boy.

Now that I have made you hungry, you may be able to relate to the people who had been listening to Jesus all day in the hot sun without food or shade. John begins this chapter with the miracle of the 5000 being fed. This story and the resurrection are the only stories told in all four Gospels. A boy gives his five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus blesses them, breaks them and the disciples see, at their hands, these loaves and fish not only feed 5000 men but also all the women and children. The disciples also gather more than they started with, they end up with twelve baskets full of food. I believe the little boy who gave his all ended up with the twelve baskets full. Why? When you give your all to God you always end up with far more than you gave Him.

Jesus continues to focus on bread for a while, using it as a common word picture. Bread meant life in this culture. Heavenly bread meant eternal life; the Jews understood what Jesus was saying here. When Jesus used the phrase “I am”, that is the name of God given to Moses at the burning bush. By saying He is the “I am” and “bread of life” Jesus is saying, He has the true life-sustaining power, anything else regardless of its religious significance is an inadequate substitute.

Jesus was not above challenging the status quo. He told them that He was the bread of life and in order to have eternal life you must eat his flesh and drink his blood. Sounds pretty gross, He meant to challenge the thinking of the day. He was greater than the sacrificial lamb that was eaten at Passover. He knew it would divide those with the wrong kind of thinking; those who were only thinking earthly rather than spiritually. The result was many walked with him no more.

While what Jesus said challenged and perhaps even threatened the disciples they had seen too much to turn back. Jesus asked them, “Are you offended? What I am telling you is spirit…” Sometimes to break religious molds or traditions we have to be a little radical. Waking sleeping people is not always an easy thing. Israel had gone to sleep spiritually and Jesus was being radical enough to awaken them. He used an image they could understand and in the process gave them food for thought.

As the bread of life, He is life! He is our hope and our strength. He is our provision. He is always there for us bringing us what we need as we need it. Are you lacking? He will be your provision in any and all things if you all Him. Let that be your food for thought!

Tomorrow John 7

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