Bread of Life

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.’ John 6:27-40

Shortly after the first of the year, I started baking bread again. A dear friend had given me some sour dough starter some time back, and I have really enjoyed the whole process. The bread, rolls and buns we've made have been so delicious. Even better, the smell of baking bread and the aroma as it comes out of the oven, is nothing short of gloriously heavenly. Bread has been a staple across time and generations. It can often remind us of simpler, safer times. It smells like home and comfort. Jesus tells us he is the bread of life, the one who gives us safety and comfort, the one who is home for us. I imagine we all need a good dose of safety and comfort these days. May we be ready always to turn to Jesus, seeking out the true bread of life.

Gracious Creator, you feed us and comfort us

filling us with good things wrought from earth

protecting us in times of violence and worry

and restoring our hope in these dark times.

We are surrounded by false prophets and rumors

we feel as if we don't know who we can trust

we run from pillar to post seeking comfort

and too often forget to turn our hearts to you.

Precious Jesus, refill our empty hearts today

strengthen us for the challenging days ahead

be our sustenance, our hope and our home

and make us full of love so we might feed others. Amen.