LENT III
March 12, 2023
“The Bread of Life”
I’ve been hungry, but I’ve never experienced hunger. Does this make sense to you, or does it sound like I’m just playing around with words? Of course I’ve been hungry — most of us have been at one time or another. But then I’m able to have something to eat, and am secure in knowing I’ll be able to eat again later, or the next day. But what if there’s almost no food in the house, and what little there is needs to be set aside for the children, an elderly parent, or a sick family member? There’s no way to pay for groceries, but maybe you can get to a food pantry and see if you can get a few things. To live on an edge like this sounds unbearable. And there’s nothing new about it.
The Old Testament tells us of many occasions during which the Hebrew people complained, criticized, and even argued with God. Learning of this behavior has intrigued and kind of shocked me, as it seems that it would take a great deal of confidence (or arrogance!) to be that confrontational with God! But when people are desperately hungry, thirsty, and frightened, that may give them the boost of courage that they need, and they turn to the Lord for help.
The Book of Genesis tells us of the abundance of food and water available to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and how sin came into that beautiful environment, changing everything. The Book of Exodus (ch. 16) is filled with accounts of the developing relationship between the wandering people of Israel and God, as they learned to trust that God cared for them and would provide for and protect them.
The lessons and principles taught by King David in the Psalms and by the prophets, such as Isaiah, sound very familiar, and it’s because we’ve read them throughout the New Testament. When Jesus told his followers to feed the hungry and care for the afflicted, he was using the words of Isaiah (ch. 58). I’ve always loved the very practical side of Jesus, in which he expressed concern for the large crowds who followed him, wondering how to feed them. All four of the Gospels have accounts of what is called “The feeding of the five thousand,” as somehow a young boy’s bread and fish provided nourishment for all who had gathered.
As Jesus continued his ministry, he began speaking of the nature of spiritual hunger and his understanding of it. To be spiritually starving is as devastating as the gnawing emptiness of physical hunger, and our Lord expressed concern and understanding for “those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.”
When Jesus blessed and broke a loaf of bread, gave it to his disciples, he told them this was his body, broken for all people. Blessing the wine, he told them it was the new covenant in his blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins. This simple meal is the gift of Christ himself, and we come with gratitude and humility to his table, invited to partake in the nourishing gift of forgiveness and redemption.
Jesus said to the crowd: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35).
Nourished and strengthened,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers