[ bread. ]

By David Medina

The topic of world hunger has been discussed for generations. As society develops, it becomes a normal conversation, and yet, we still, as humankind, are unsuccessful in finding ways to feed everyone. Maybe it is because of a lack of resources or out of greed, but feeding our brothers and sisters has become a burden that no one wants to bear or take responsibility for. People are dying and will continue to until this issue is resolved. Hunger attacks no specific people group or race; it can affect anyone who does not have the means. Also, as the human population rises, our food supply continually runs out. There was a man who said that through Him, we would never face hunger and thirst, meaning that we would live and be satisfied. This man was Jesus, a fully human man, feeling emotion and going through some of the biggest heartbreaks, but also being fully God, having the power to create, to heal, and to love. He took the responsibility to feed everyone. He had every right to leave many for their unjustified way of living but instead offered Himself as food and paid the price of death for those who persecuted and taunted Him.

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” 

John 6: 35 (NLT) 

This message came about when Jesus had gone long teaching and healing the sick. His heart was moved for His people even though He was grieving the loss of a fellow brother, John the Baptist. The disciples asked Him, as we all have, “How do we feed these people?” They only had five loaves of bread and two fish. As we read, Jesus took the fish and the bread and blessed them. In that moment, baskets began to fill, and He fed them all. The Bible even tells us that there were leftovers, enough to probably feed them all again. In this story, the food that was handed out was not the miracle; it was about the one who handed out the food. Jesus Himself was the miracle that would not only feed these people but all people for generations. That is why Jesus tells them that only through Him will they never go hungry again or thirst. Jesus is the bread of life.

I remember preaching this on a Sunday, and as I did, the Lord revealed to me this: Jesus lifting the bread, blessing it, and then tearing it into pieces to give it out is a beautiful picture of how we should bless the bread and give it out. I do not mean actual bread; I mean the Word of God. When we are in His Word and ask Him to bless us through His Word, something miraculous is sure to happen. There is a miracle that wants to be shared with those around us. This Bread, this Word, is the food that people need. What the Lord gives us as we spend time with Him in His Word will not only feed us; it will feed multitudes of people, and there is more than enough—Jesus is that Word. Let’s not be greedy with what the Lord gives us; let’s share it. Let us have compassion for those who are hungry for something that lasts. Miracles are useless if they are just a quick fix; what is important is something that does not perish with time. With Him, we will live forever; nothing in this world will separate us from this. Even when hungry, we have hope; when going through difficult circumstances, we have hope. When we can’t pay the bills, we have hope. That hope is Jesus. We will not die; we will live and not hunger or thirst.