Let’s talk about bread.
No, this is not going to be a blog about a sourdough starter (sorry to disappoint). We aren’t going to be talking about Rye or Wheat or baguettes, this is a different type of bread.
The bread of life.
In John 6, scripture says:
“Truly I tell you, anyone who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that anyone may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” -John 6:47-51
Lots of bread references here… let’s unpack.
It’s important to set the stage. After Jesus miraculously fed more than five thousand people with a few loaves and fish, the crowd followed Him across the Sea of Galilee hoping for more bread. Jesus confronted their motives, telling them not to work for food that perishes but for the food that endures to eternal life (John 6:27).
Rather than seeking to understand what He meant, the crowd asked Him to perform another sign to prove His authority. They pointed to Moses as their example, reminding Jesus that their ancestors received manna from heaven in the wilderness (John 6:31). In essence, they were measuring Jesus against Moses and challenging Him to produce a greater sign. This moment sets the stage for Jesus’ powerful declaration that the true bread from heaven is not manna, but Himself—the Bread of Life who gives eternal life.
I think many of us approach Jesus this way. We want the miracle more than we want the miracle worker. We want the sign more than we want the Savior.
Sometimes our belief, loyalty, and love becomes tied to the manna - the degree of provision that He provides. It’s why we find ourselves constantly chasing, always trying to get to a place of “true contentment” because we chase after miracles instead of sitting at the feet of the one who performs them.
It’s okay to ask God for things. It’s okay to allow signs and wonders and answered prayers to reaffirm and strengthen your faith.
But what Jesus lays out for us in this passage is so important: personally knowing and believing in Him is the only thing that brings true life, true satisfaction.
We have to look beyond just what we want to who He is. The crowd that challenged Jesus to “top” the miracle of manna in the wilderness was after what Jesus could do and give them, not after Jesus Himself.
We don’t get to heaven by riding the coattails of the things we ask Jesus to give us. We receive eternal life by believing in Him — by coming to the Bread of Life Himself. And when we truly believe, we learn to depend on Him daily.
We go to Him in all things, not just the good things. We go to Him when life is hard and when it is busy. We go to Him in the joy and in the hardship, when He provides the way we hoped He would and when He doesn’t.
Be grateful for the manna, but do not miss the Messiah. Do not miss the greatest gift of all - a personal relationship with Him. Go to Him not out of greed but gratitude. Walk with Him in life, talk with Him in scripture and prayer, know and love Him.
Because the truth is, if one drop of manna never graced our lips again, His dying on the cross is the most irreplaceable, undeserved, and worthy gift of all.
The bread may sustain for a moment, but the Bread of Life gives us life forever.
Isn’t He worthy of our praise? 🤍
The True North Podcast is on a break!
I am taking the month off from releasing new episodes, but don’t worry! I’ll be back on the mic after Easter and in the meantime, there are plenty of episodes to get you through. Visit the website below to find the show and be sure to follow the social media channels so you never miss an update!
Have a great rest of your week and thanks for being here!
Love, Mykah (and Nimbus)
