One of the best breads and it's not a food

Have you been to a bakery lately?  There are so many different types of bread to tantalize our senses.  From those which are really good and healthy for you to ones which tempt your sweet tooth.  Yet, the true bread is a person.

The book of John, Chapter 6 tells of one of the most remembered miracles of Jesus.  It’s the story about the feeding of the 5,000 using only the five barley loaves and a couple of fish.  What a story!  How is that even fathomable?

I think that sometimes we get lost in the amazement of these miracles, trying to figure out the impossibility rather than see the true point.  This is the time period in the book of John where Jesus is first becoming known to the people.  He’s begun his ministry and word is spreading of the miracles he is performing.  He feeds the people and they realize just how huge a miracle this is and declare him as the prophet for whom they’ve been waiting.  They wanted to make him king, but this was not what he wanted so he went off alone to seek solace in the mountains.

The next day, the people were waiting for Jesus, but when he didn’t return, they went in search of him.  When the people found him, Jesus called him on their actions telling them that the only reason they sought him out was because he had fed them.   The people didn’t understand his message.  He was trying to convey that if you believe in Him, God will provide all your needs. 

When they replied that they wanted more miracles to prove he was the Messiah and requested that he provide them with bread every day like Moses provided in the wilderness, Jesus answered.  He told them in John 6:32, “Moses didn’t give it to them. My Father did.  And now he offers you true Bread from heaven.  The true Bread is a Person—the one sent by God from heaven, and he gives life to the world.”(TLB)

It’s not any different today than yesterday.  We still struggle with this.  We confuse our wants with our needs and we totally miss the point.  We live in one of the richest countries in the world, yet we complain about the most minor of concerns.  We fight with one another over trivial matters.  We act out in anger instead of respect for one another and of love.  Religion is used by people to gain prestige, comfort, and our leaders use it to gain votes. 

In John 6:28, the people asked “What should we do to satisfy God?”(TLB)  This is a puzzling question for so many seekers, those looking to find God.  Mankind answered it by founding the many different types of religions.  They wouldn’t exist if not for this question.  Yet, satisfying God doesn’t come from what we do, but from what we believe.  All we have to do is accept that Jesus is the Son of God and begin a life of belief. 

That doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes or have questions, because faith is all about the journey.  It is an action and the only way you’re going to find out is to begin asking those questions.  If you need to find a way to have them answered, find a good bible study group where you’ll be comfortable. 

We have a few of opportunities at and you're free to check them out any time your schedule permits.  For our children, there’s L.I.G.H.T, Learning in God’s House Together on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m., Beginner’s Bible Study meets.  This group explores and has open conversation about a multitude of topics as to how to relate the Bible to our lives today.  Geared more towards seniors, there’s our Tuesday Morning Group who meets around 10 a.m.   Finally, on Friday evenings at 7 p.m., Christ First Ministries meets in the church library.  This group focuses on in-depth bible study and shares in faith together to do mission work within the local area.

Questions?  Feel free to send me a message or contact our church office at (330) 928-4847.