Have you ever wondered why Jesus is called the bread of life? The answer to this question lies in the Bible and can be found in John 6:35, where Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
But what does this actually mean? Let’s explore it together.
The Symbolism Behind Bread
Bread has been a staple food for centuries and is often used as a symbol of sustenance, nourishment, and provision. In the Bible, we see many instances where bread is used as a symbol of God’s provision for His people. For example, in Exodus 16, when the Israelites were wandering in the desert and had no food to eat, God provided manna from heaven – a type of bread – to sustain them.
Jesus as the Bread of Life
So when Jesus calls Himself the bread of life, He is using this symbolism to explain that just as physical bread provides nourishment for our bodies, He provides spiritual nourishment for our souls. In other words, He is saying that He alone can satisfy our deepest spiritual hunger.
But how does Jesus provide this nourishment? The answer lies in His teachings and His sacrifice on the cross.
Through His teachings, Jesus showed us how to live a fulfilling life by loving God and loving others. And through His sacrifice on the cross, He made it possible for us to have eternal life by paying the penalty for our sins.
Coming to Jesus
So what does it mean to come to Jesus? It means acknowledging Him as Lord and Savior and putting your faith in Him.
It means surrendering your life to Him and following His teachings. It means recognizing that only He can satisfy your deepest spiritual hunger.
- Believing in Jesus: When we believe in Jesus, we are acknowledging that He is who He says He is – the Son of God and the Savior of the world. We are putting our trust in Him to save us from our sins and give us eternal life.
- Following Jesus: Following Jesus means obeying His teachings and living a life that honors Him.
It means loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving your neighbor as yourself.
- Abiding in Jesus: Abiding in Jesus means staying connected to Him through prayer, reading the Bible, worshiping with other believers, and obeying His commands. It means allowing Him to shape your character and transform your life.
The Bread of Life Today
Today, the bread of life is still available to anyone who comes to Jesus. As we abide in Him and follow His teachings, He continues to nourish our souls and satisfy our deepest spiritual hunger. And just as physical bread sustains us throughout the day, so too does the bread of life sustain us throughout our lives.
In conclusion, Jesus is called the bread of life because He alone can satisfy our deepest spiritual hunger. By coming to Him, believing in Him, following Him, and abiding in Him, we can experience true fulfillment and eternal life. So let us come to Jesus today and partake of the bread of life that He offers.