28th June 2011

Bread Of Life

“Give us today our daily bread.”
Matthew 6:11 (NIV) 

The lady preacher said God had shown her this “picture” several times:  A large, motherly woman baking bread, and God speaking to her saying, “I want you to bake bread every day.”  What did it mean? 

After pondering and praying for understanding, it became clear to her that it did not mean to literally bake bread, but to prepare spiritual bread through prayer and Bible study so she can give to others. If nothing is prepared, there is nothing to give.  Matthew 4:4 tells us, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” 

Bread is a powerful symbol used in the Bible a number of times.  Manna, ‘bread from heaven’ (John 6:31), was given daily to Israel in the wilderness, and Jesus is likened to the true bread from Heaven—the Bread of Life. Speaking of himself, Jesus in John 6:58 said, “This is the bread that came down from heaven.  Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.” 

The aroma of freshly baked bread is like the Holy Spirit, that penetrates the consciousness and creates a hunger for the spiritual manna of God’s Word.  The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to ask for our daily bread—let’s partake every day! 

Prayer
Lord, may we eat of that Bread of Life every day.
Amen 

Study by Gordon Howlett