Spiritual Bread

God fed the Israelite when they were in the Wilderness by sending manna in the mornings. Because the manna was life-sustaining, and because it came at a crucial time, succeeding generations of Israelites always looked to it as a sign. People even asked Jesus what sign he would give so they could believe as the people believed Moses when God sent manna.

By that time Jesus had already performed many miracles—He had even multiplied five loaves of bread and two fishes to feed five thousand people just the day before! The crowds might not have realized they were participating in a miracle—they simply received food as the disciples handed it to them. Nevertheless, because they lacked spiritual insight, they didn’t recognize the supernatural ministry of Jesus.

Maybe that’s why Jesus didn’t talk about bodily food when he answered them. He focused on spiritual sustenance instead. He said, For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world . . . 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. (Jn. 6:33,35 NIV)

Jesus focused spiritual sustenance, because it offers the key to both physical and spiritual life. When we receive Jesus, we receive the life of God. He is our our daily manna, our spiritual bread.

Originally published May 30, 1986
Picture: Viewed from the street, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

There Was the Glory

God revealed His mercy and provision in many ways during the Israelites’ extended journey from Egypt to Canaan. Even the cloud that remained with them was a visible sign of His glory. It not only led the people; it revealed something about God’s nature. During the dark desert nights, fire from the cloud provided light. During hot days, the cloud provided shade from the hot desert sun. Some say the cloud provided an image of the blessings we receive through Jesus.

At one time, when the people grumbled because they were hungry, Moses and Aaron brought the people into a position where they would listen. Then, While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud. (Ex. 16:10 NIV)

The glory of God demonstrated God’s ability to be God. The people hadn’t remembered that He could take care of them. Instead of asking Him to provide food, they grumbled against Moses. But God surprised them by revealing His nature. He wowed them with a visual image of His glory. That night he sent meat in the form of birds, and in the morning the people discovered manna.

Originally published July 22, 1988.

The People Questioned Jesus

Multitudes sought Jesus during His early ministry. When Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee, the people followed, supposedly wanting more and more of whatever He had to offer. But their specific focus was food. Jesus said, you seek me not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes. . . . (Jn. 6:26,27 NKJV)

Then the people questioned Jesus. They referred to God’s miraculous provision during the forty years in the Wilderness by quoting Scriptures from Exodus. They spoke as though they were trying determine if Jesus was a leader like Moses. In their conversation, they revealed their true interest when they continued to focus on food or physical provision.

Jesus understood physical needs, He met people’s needs regularly. But here He changed the focus from physical food to spiritual truth. He emphasized that manna didn’t come from Moses but from God. And He said of Himself, the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. (v. 33)

Originally published February 22, 1991.