Bread

 I am the bread of life.
John 6:48 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.6.48.ESV

Bread was the staple diet in Jesus's day. It still is in many parts of the world, even as diets in the affluent West have diversified. Apparently, the Chinese translation of this verse is along the lines of 'I am the rice of life'.

Jesus is spiritual bread for those who would feed upon Him. All others are bad for our health. He is the only staple we need in our spiritual diet.

Jesus also declared that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, and that they will be filled. Jesus Himself is righteousness personified. When we trust in Him, we find spiritual satisfaction.

The first hearers of this statement wondered if Jesus was advocating cannibalism, with His talk of eating the 'bread' of His flesh and drinking the 'wine' of His blood. Before we judge their denseness, are we preoccupied with the physical and temporal, the here and now? Do we fail to appreciate Jesus's spiritual illustrations?

'Lord our God, how glad we are of the spiritual sustenance we find in You. Please forgive us for looking for fulfilment in anything other than You, for the glory of Your name, amen'

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