I am the bread of life — Jesus.

To give context to the quote, Jesus spoke to a crowd of people who the day before stuffed themselves with loaves and fishes. Jesus encouraged them not to work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life. He added, whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Go to Jesus and gain life. It’s not complicated (although Jesus might complicate your life at first). Commit to Jesus in humility and deference, and the filling will commence.

Contrary to all I hear, the bread of life does not consist of money, or possessions, or fame, or strength, or power, or followers, or pleasures, or health, or ease, or respect, or recognition, or degrees, or any of the thousand other ideas sold to me daily. Instead, the bread of life is found only in Jesus, offered freely, available openly, within my grasp.

Why not step forward and eat?

John 6 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Wesual Click

Last week my wife and I traveled to New York City to celebrate our granddaughter’s first birthday. We enjoyed several meals out on the town—New York lays out the welcome mat for food lovers.

We feasted on Italian food at Carmine’s in Manhattan and slurped down soup dumplings in Chinatown. Next we crossed the street for a scoop of ice cream (where I cautiously tasted the Durian). Bagels and crullers and smash burgers all found their way onto our menu. Fortunately, walking everywhere in New York helps with digestion.

The psalmist reminds us that the Lord gives food to every creature. Part of the enduring love of God evidences itself in the food we eat. Not merely sustenance, but the Lord fills our plates both for our pleasure and to enjoy the company of others.

Before a meal I like to give thanks. It may only be a quick prayer with a slight bow, but it helps me remember who butters my bread. Thank you Lord.

Bon Appétit!

Psalm 136 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Dan Gold

Ever wonder, what is God like? I mean, what does God look like, how does he appear in the cosmos? Is he always invisible? Does he manifest himself in certain ways? God took physical form and came to earth in the person of Jesus, but what exists beyond?

Ezekiel the prophet saw visions of heaven, strange and glorious. Describing one he wrote:

I looked, and I saw a figure like that of a man. From what appeared to be his waist down he was like fire, and from there up his appearance was as bright a glowing metal. He stretched our what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem…

Perhaps this man was an angel, or an appearance of Jesus Christ. Then, like carrying a puppy by the loose skin of its neck, the fiery man picked Ezekiel up by his hair. I imagine a towering inferno gazing at the dangling Ezekiel from arm’s length.

The man from heaven appeared as blazing fire and glowing metal. Daniel saw similar visions of heavenly beings, as did John in the book of Revelation. Moses watched a bush burn but not be consumed. We’re told by Timothy that God dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.

Finally, the author of Revelation wrote that the city of God does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

So what is God like? So bright we cannot look upon him. Like staring at the sun until going blind, or experiencing the inner core of a nuclear explosion. Too much for me or you to handle.

But also just exactly what we need. Those who follow Jesus will bask in the light of the Lord for eternity, and there’s no reason not to believe that day will come.

Ezekiel 8 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Mark Harpur

Very little messaging in our world encourages me to take a lesser position. Same was true back in the day when John the Baptist, a wild-haired preacher with a hankering for locusts, baptized and pointed people to the coming Messiah.

As that Messiah moved into public view, the crowds starting leaving John and heading to Jesus. When asked about his shrinking congregation, John expressed joy, not regret, and speaking of Jesus said—He must become greater; I must become less.

John expressed the mindset of a disciple, a sincere follower of Jesus. Totally counter-cultural then and now.

Why did John hold this view? He shared the primary reason with his questioners:

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

With clarity, John laid out the reality every one of us faces. To embrace the Son brings me to eternal life, but to reject Jesus leaves me under wrath. The language reveals the choice each person makes at some point or another. Believe in the Son or reject the Son, we all choose.

For his part, John wanted everyone he touched to experience no confusion because of him. The stakes were too high. See less of me in order to see more of Jesus.

Which is both a wise and freeing attitude for me to embrace as I represent Jesus in my world today.

John 3 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Les Argonautes