Manna: The Bread of Life

What is your bread of life?

“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 6:51 NIV

Reflection

I’ve heard Jesus called the Bread of Life more times than I can count. I’ve received communion… even read devotionals on it. Recently, for the very first time, it connected. Like really connected.

Jesus was pointing back to something ancient. Something physical. Something God had done before.

Manna.

Back in the wilderness, after God had freed His people from Egypt, He gave them a daily bread. Literal bread from heaven. Manna. Just enough for each day. A reminder that God provides… even in the desert. Even when you have no clue where you are or where you’re going.

And now, Jesus steps in and says, “I am the living bread.” Whoa.

He’s telling us, God is still providing. But this time, it’s not bread you pick up off the ground. It’s a Person. A Savior. A sacrifice. And all we have to do is take Him in.

But what does that look like? I mean, we can go to church, attend a service, be part of a group. That’s good stuff. You’re sitting at the table. Someone else planned the meal. You showed up.

But if we want to be truly nourished… soul-deep… it’s gotta go beyond just showing up.

Think about your physical meals. Most of us eat at least three times a day. We make time. We make decisions. We cook, or we order, or we scrounge around for a snack. One way or another, we feed ourselves. Because if we don’t, we feel it. We get weak. We get hangry.

Same thing spiritually.

You can’t expect to stay strong if you never feed your soul.

God already gave us the nourishment we need. Through Jesus, the Bread of Life. That’s our manna now. But just like the Israelites in the wilderness, we have to gather it. Daily.

It’s not about earning anything. It’s about staying close to the One who loves us more than we’ll ever comprehend. It’s about choosing, each day, to sit at His table and be fed by Him.

Let’s not live spiritually malnourished. Let’s not settle for crumbs when He’s offering us a feast.

God has given us Jesus. He is the Bread of Life and He’s asking for our time, our attention, our trust. Because He knows what this world throws at us. He knows how easily we drift. He knows how much we need Him.

So take in the manna. Daily. Purposefully. Not just on Sunday. Not just when life gets hard. But all the time.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for providing everything I need… not just physically, but spiritually. Thank You for Jesus, the Bread of Life. Teach me how to truly receive this gift every day. Not just in church, but in every part of my life. Help me stay nourished by Your Word, by Your Spirit, and by Your presence. Keep me, my family, and my friends safe and centered in You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.