Wonderbread

I am a bread lover. Ask anyone in my family. I love rolls, breads, you name it. I especially like banana nut bread which is more of a dessert than a bread, but...anyway. I am on the topic of bread today in my Bible study.

In developing countries, bread is a very important part of life. It is made from grains and requires simple technology to create. When the Israelites were in the desert for 40 years, God provided for the needs of a nomadic group estimated to be in the millions by sending bread from heaven every morning, 6 days a week. They couldn't grow their own crops, because they were always on the move. The bread was the daily sustaining food. Without it, there would be trouble trying to keep everyone alive. It was a big part of the Jewish history that every person was taught about long after Moses died and they had entered the promised land.

When Jesus began his ministry and began to speak in the synagogues in Capernaum, he had already gathered a large following due to the miracles of feeding the 5000 and healing the sick. As he spoke, he began to explain to people that He was sent by the Father in heaven. He was now the "daily bread" given to people to bring life. Not physical life, but eternal life. He said that in the same way that our bodies must have food and drink to live on earth, we must consume the truth of Jesus' purpose in order to have eternal life. We must digest it and allow it to become a part of us. Without accepting the gift of God the father, by believing, trusting, and following Jesus, we will not live eternally. The father gave bread from heaven to Moses and the Israelites to bring them to the land he had promised them. God is bringing us to the promised land of eternal life with Him, by sending bread from heaven, Jesus.

Many people who had been following Jesus, left Him when they heard Him saying that He was from heaven and that He is the way to eternal life. Those that had seen him heal and provide miracles in front of their very eyes would not accept the gift from the Father. They would not eat the bread. They would not trust him, despite their eyewitness proof of his power.

There are many wandering in the wilderness today. They are hungry for truth and life. The bread has been sent from heaven and is all around them, yet they refuse to eat. They refuse to trust that it will nourish them and give them life.