25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” 30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
Karl Smith, former seminarian at Bethel, told the story when he and his brother were walking down the street of Lebanon. Suddenly a man jumped from his taxicab and began to scream at them. He started to chase them. They ran, not knowing what caused this uproar and not understanding the language. They told their friend later about this with more of the details. Karl had absentmindedly kicked aside some bread that fell from a vendor’s stand. They were told that in that culture they could have been easily beaten for such an act. Bread is a symbol of life. It is sacred. Even if it has fallen to the ground, it is treated with respect and people would gently move it aside.
Bread is the staff of life and is essential for subsistence. When two people sit together and break bread, it is like the peace pipe in the native Indian cultures in America. What would the reaction be if you kicked the peace pipe you found on the ground? It would mean disrespect for the tribe or owner of the pipe. Bread in the East, I am told, is the symbol of reconciliation, of trust and responsibility among the people.
Every nation and country have breads common to their area and known to their nationality. Mexicans have tortillas; Mediterranean homes serve pita, Eastern Indians make Puri; Scottish people have scones; The French are known for croissants; Americans can brag about inventing corn bread; Jews are known for their matzah and bagels; and we can't forget the Norwegian Lefse at Christmas, can we?
Bread is important in each culture in different ways throughout the world. Jesus tells us that He is the bread, the living bread. He said, "He who comes to me will never go hungry." The Jews had a special understanding of that bread that comes from God. It was manna. It was heavenly bread. It was part of their tradition, that when the true Messiah would come, He would make available this miraculous manna again for His nation. They were wondering if Jesus was the Messiah, since they witnessed the feeding of the 5,000. They were looking for the miraculous sign that they might receive special bread. Jesus presented Himself as the means to salvation, eternal life and resurrection by referring to himself as the bread of life.
At communion services we reflect on Jesus’ body that was broken for us in His death. There are similarities to the Manna of the O.T. when we see how Jesus was presented to the disciples. Communion is not to be taken lightly.
Application: This week we will focus on the communion bread and its implications for God’s followers.
Prayer: Lord God, help me as I reflect on Jesus’ body, beaten and nailed to the cross for me. The pain that He went through, and Your pain in sending Your only Son. I give praise for the sacrifice for my sins.
Dale
