Whenever Jesus feeds a vast crowd of people (in John 6, for example), He satisfies their bodily (or physical) hunger, but He is always “pointing to” a deeper hunger which they have: a spiritual hunger. We long to be one with God and true to our own hearts. So, when Jesus says, “I am the Bread of Life,” He is inviting us to see well beyond our physical hunger.
We know how resourceful we are and how determined we are to meet and satisfy that bodily hunger, but the Lord is always asking us to make the leap to our spiritual hunger … it is there that He is pretty resourceful and determined to meet it.
We wouldn’t presume to say that Jesus is ever unclear about what He says, but let’s imagine what the expression “I am the Bread of Life” might mean (on a deeper level): I am the most intimate reality in your life: as intimate to you, and as sustaining, as the food in your mouth. I am the one who keeps your awareness bright like a lamp, your heart warm, your will healthy, strong and gentle. I am the one who enables you to raise your eyes, to see beauty and glory in the world, and to open the eyes of your hearts until you see God. Let’s be sure to thank Him for all of this – today and every day.
