I cannot recall a time where I had nothing to eat. Even in times where money was scarce and my options for food seemed limited, I have never had to go to bed without something in my belly. I have never had to put hungry children to bed and wonder where in the world the next meal might come from.
I can also say that I have never been asked or told to gather up my belongings and my family and flee from a location. While wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters have forced others to do so, I have not once had that experience myself.
The people of Israel did. They had moved to the land of Egypt as the family of Pharaoh’s right hand man, but a few generations later, they were slaves. God, who never takes His eye off His people, sent Moses to them and the process of liberation began. Plagues. Rejection. More plagues. More rejection. But eventually, in a way only God can provide, the people of Israel are free from the grasp of the Egyptians and the masses of Israel – the children of God – find themselves in a desert. Hungry.
God provides manna (bread) from heaven. He brings, through Moses, water out of a rock. The people eat and drink – they are provided for, but they miss the provider.
Hundreds of years later we find Jesus talking with the Jewish religious leaders about it. “Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now He offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the One who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John 6:32-33)
The children of Israel – the chosen of God- were giving credit to Moses. They were acknowledging the gifts Moses had given them. They were claiming Abraham to be their father. And while they truly were a part of their lineage, they were misplacing the credit for their existence. They were missing the Father and His supreme power, authority, and provision.
So Jesus, the Son of God, comes to earth to walk with us and teach those of us who would listen and believe. It is because of God’s great love that through Jesus, once again our needs will be met. “Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)
What does Jesus mean? After all, make no mistake, my stomach still growls from time to time. I still find my throat dry and desire something cool to drink. Jesus isn’t speaking literally, but figuratively. He’s saying: “In me, every need is met.” “In me, your most basic requirements for life – both here and for eternity are provided for.”
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” (John 6:47-51)
He gave His life – His flesh – sacrificially for us. By this action alone, we are given all that we need to have life and have it abundantly. Total provision. Eternal provision.
May we never lose sight of the One who alone meets our every need.
Blessings!