I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. —John 6:51a

Click here to read today’s Scripture: John 6: 41-51

On Sundays my aunts had the delightful habit of baking Creole bread together. The aroma of freshly baked bread was sure to catch my attention! However, what I admired most was the warmth of my aunts being together while baking a lovely supper to take home. I couldn’t help but wonder…what is it about bread that lights up a home? And more particularly, why did Jesus refer to himself as the Bread of Life? 

Throughout the Scriptures we find different passages where Jesus mentions bread or uses it as a symbol. His teaching on the Bread of Life fundamentally reveals how one may attain eternal life. He is the living bread. In the natural, it seems unthinkable to accept the teaching of eating Jesus’s flesh. However, the Lord unveils the meaning of eating His flesh as receiving eternal life—believing that He died for our sins and abiding in His word. 

At the last supper with His disciples, Scriptures say “Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it; after he had done this, he gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). This is perhaps the most significant symbolism of bread in the Bible. As Jesus’ body would be broken for us, He broke the bread before giving it to His disciples. Because of the finished work on the cross, if we believe and abide in His word, we can receive eternal life. 

The warm Creole bread baked in our homes makes a delightful supper, but wouldn’t you want to eat from The Bread of Life and receive eternal life?

Reflect: Have you accepted Jesus as the Bread of Life, receiving by faith the gift of eternal life?

Prayer Starter:

 Lord, thank you for dying for my sins. May I delight in holy communion as I am reminded that You are the living bread. Thank you for the divine promise of life everlasting.

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