There are some sections of the gospel in which we could walk around for a lifetime and still find ourselves treading on ground not understood. One such section of Scripture begins with the twenty-second verse of the sixth chapter of John and continues till the end of the chapter. It is the passage where Jesus says, "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35, 48). It is also a passage which brings to mind the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well. Verse 34 which has people in the crowd saying, "Sir, give us this bread also," (John 6:34) is a word which reminds us of the Samaritan woman saying, "Sir, give me this water." (John 4:15.
The crowd had been fed fish and bread by Jesus and was looking for another free meal and the woman of Samaria was looking for a way to get her daily water needs met without going to the well to draw it. It seems like folks have been wanting the quick fix from Jesus since He walked in the flesh among us. Wanting the things He gives has always been an easier choice than just being content with knowing His presence in our lives. What is truly life giving is not what He provides for us to hold in our hands, but what He provides for us to hold in our heart.
As we clamor for things to sustain physical life with its inevitable limitations, He holds Himself up as that which sustains the unlimited spiritual life. The Hebrews ate manna found on the ground each morning and drank water from a rock, but they still died. What Jesus offers as He speaks of being the provider of bread and water is eternal life with Him. For some strange reason we spend more time seeking the things which sustain our physical life for a limited amount of time instead of the One who provides for us a spiritual food which readies us for life eternal. As my old Episcopalian priest friend used to say, "Go figure."
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