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Day Seven: The Lord Provides

In the story of the Children of Israel we learn about how they receive bread to feed their physical bodies. In the New Testament we’re given another image of how the Lord provides for us. In this selection from John chapter six the Lord takes the image of bread and feeding us to the next level.

They asked Jesus, "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 miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’" Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, 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 he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." Then Jesus declared, "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. I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever."

In this passage, the Lord shows us how His goals reach farther than our physical well-being and our earthly life. The Lord’s ultimate goal for us is that we spend eternity as angels in heaven. To become angels in heaven, we need to practice angelic ways here on earth. The essence of spiritual life is learning to love and follow the Lord and to love and serve our neighbors. In order to do this we need to consistently look to the Lord and receive His blessings in our lives.

Feeding our physical bodies on a regular basis is necessary for us to be healthy. The same is true with our spiritual lives. The Lord tells us that He is the bread of life – He is where we go for our sustenance. The Lord provides that sustenance in many forms to all people throughout the world. We can receive it as we let go of the bad habits and attitudes that drag us down and open ourselves up to receiving the life-giving food that is always available to us.

Insight
The Lord God Jesus Christ is one, not three different persons. When we read references in the New Testament to the "Father" and the "Son", the Lord is referring to different aspects of Himself, not to different divine beings.

Reflection
Life-giving manna from the Lord might show up in a rainbow, a child’s laugh, the comforting touch of a loved one. In what ways do you see the Lord providing this life-giving sustenance in your life?

Download this Reflection in printable form. (PDF)

Discussion Board
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