Bread of Life
To reflect God’s heart to the world around us, we need to know God’s heart and, we believe, God’s heart is most clearly represented in Jesus. In the weeks leading up to Easter, we invite you to explore the life of Jesus by reading the Gospel of John with us. As we delve into the richness of scripture, we’ll utilize the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, which invites us to slow down and posture our hearts to hear from God. With that said, let’s begin with a prayer:
Open your time by reciting these words:
Lord, as I approach scripture, prepare my heart to encounter You in its pages. Quiet the distractions that pull me away and open my eyes to see Your truth. May I encounter these words humbly, with an open mind and a receptive spirit. May my time in Scripture be a sacred encounter that deepens my relationship with You and transforms me into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lectio (Reading)
Take a moment to read John 6:25-71 slowly and attentively. As you read, pay attention to any words or phrases that stand out to you. Allow the text to wash over you, inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35
“I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:48-51
Meditatio (Meditation)
Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus attempted to give His disciples and the crowds that followed a way to grasp who stood before them. Often, it came in the form of "I am..." statements that spoke about His character and essence. In today's passage, we encounter the first “I am” declaration when Jesus describes Himself as "the bread of life." A claim like that would also perk up the ears of the Jewish crowd. He already had a captivated audience, having just pulled off a culinary miracle by feeding 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish.
Bread not only served as a food staple that people lived on that sustained life, but it also played a part in their faith journey. From the time they were young, they had heard the Exodus story about their forefathers wandering in the wilderness and God daily providing them with manna. However, unlike the manna that satisfied the Israelites for a while, Jesus says those who look to Him will never be thirsty or hungry again. Jesus turned a conversation that started as a dialogue about physical food into a reflection on spiritual nourishment. He challenges their understanding of sustenance and invites them into a deeper relationship with Himself.
Take a moment to reflect on the words you have read. Jesus declares Himself the bread of life, the sustenance our souls truly crave. Consider the implications of this sweeping statement. Express gratitude for His constant provision, both seen and unseen. As you quiet your hearts and mind, listen for any whispers of truth or peace that He may offer.
Contemplatio (Contemplation)
We often find ourselves searching for something to satisfy the hunger deep within us. We can become fixated on temporal needs and desires, neglecting the deeper hunger of our souls. We chase after success, relationships, and material possessions, hoping they will satisfy us, only to find ourselves longing for more. Satisfying our appetite with the things of this world leaves our belly growling. Nothing it offers can quench our thirst or make those hunger pains disappear. Yet, like the crowds who followed Jesus seeking more bread after the miraculous feeding, we often miss the deeper nourishment Jesus offers.
In a world filled with distractions and empty promises, Jesus remains the ultimate source of sustenance. He invites us to partake of Himself—to find true satisfaction and fulfillment in Him alone. As we continue to trust, we continue to be fed and find nourishment for our souls. The cravings for purpose, meaning, security, and contentment will dissipate. We will find ourselves beyond full.
Take a moment to feel the hunger pains of looking to the world for fulfillment, purpose, and value. As you do, consider how you’ve been seeking satisfaction apart from Christ and where you need to realign your priorities.
Actio (Action)
Embracing the truth that Jesus is the bread of life isn't merely an intellectual acknowledgment; it requires a profound transformation of heart and mind. It calls for a radical reorientation of our priorities and desires—a shift from the world's fleeting pleasures to the enduring satisfaction found in Christ. To truly embrace this truth, we must first recognize the futility of seeking fulfillment in the things of this world and surrender those places to Him.
This act of surrender isn't a sign of weakness but of humble wisdom—an acknowledgment that our efforts to find fulfillment will always fall short. In surrendering to Jesus, we open ourselves to His transformative power. He alone can fill the void within us—the restless longing that drives us to seek fulfillment in all the wrong places. As we relinquish control and allow Him to reign in our hearts, we discover a peace and contentment that surpasses understanding.
Take a moment to invite Christ to reveal any areas of our lives where you’ve been seeking fulfillment apart from Him and ask for the grace to surrender fully to His will. Consider how you can shift your focus from temporal desires to the eternal satisfaction found in Christ.
Oratio (Prayer)
Close your time by reciting this prayer or lifting up your own:
Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing Jesus as the bread of life, satisfying the hunger of my soul and the constant provision He provides. Help me find true fulfillment in Him alone. Guide me to feast on His truth, His love, and His grace, knowing that in Him, I find the sustenance my soul truly craves. Amen.