“I Am”

My wife makes a snack food with puffcorn and white chocolate. It’s the kind of snack food you can’t get enough of. I read an article recently about how snack food producers hire experts to “help” people crave junk food. Snack food producers want us to like their product so much that we can’t resist their product.

Jesus wants us to long for real food – spiritual food. John 6:35 says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Verse 32 tells us that the bread He spoke about is a person, not something you can take in your hand or literally “eat”.

John’s Gospel has seven “I am” statements of Jesus. Each one of these statements helps us understand Jesus better and is supported by something He has done. The first of these – “I am the bread of life” comes after Jesus had just fed the five thousand. (6:35) “I am the light of the world” (8:12); “I am the gate [or door] (10:7); “I am the good shepherd” (10:11); “I am the resurrection and the life” (11:25); “I am the way, the truth and the life” (14:6); “I am the true vine.” (15:1)

When we put our trust in Jesus for forgiveness of our sin, we are entering into a right relationship for every craving of our soul. The bread Jesus is offering is everlasting spiritual food that leads to satisfaction and life. When we put our trust in Jesus, we’ll crave Him, and He’ll strengthen and transform our life.

Prayer – Jesus, you are the Bread of Life! May I long for You and find all I need in Your perfect love! Amen.

John 6:35 – Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Grace and Peace to you from the Foundation Team

Author: The Rev. Tommy Herndon
Photos: Mae Mu & Melissa Askew, courtesy of Unsplash