Bread of Life

By: Julie Maschhoff

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

"...it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:32-33

Have you ever walked into a house where fresh bread was baking? Fresh bread smells wonderful, and it can even trigger fond memories from our past. Bread is a staple food in many countries, and it has nourished humans for thousands of years. It's available in many shapes, sizes and forms, and it's been a vital part of mankind's existence.

Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: "He gave them bread from heaven to eat." John 6:31

Manna was a special type of bread that only God could provide. The Israelites were hungry from wandering in the wilderness, so the Lord sent them food from heaven. The Lord sent it to them because they had no way to bake bread on their own. But in the NT, Jesus uses bread to point out an important spiritual truth. After feeding the crowd of five thousand with five barley loaves and two fish, Jesus said this:

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

The OT manna was a temporary solution, but Jesus is our "bread of life" that lasts forever! The physical bread we eat has sustained human life for ages, but the bread Jesus offers is spiritual. He is the only bread that can sustain our soul. God sent His only Son Jesus to be the bread that gives the hope of eternal life to the world. If the tough moments of life have you feeling lonely, sad, or hurting, lean on Jesus and ask Him to nourish you spiritually.

Lord, thank you for our daily bread that meets our physical needs, but more importantly, thank you for sending Jesus to meet our spiritual needs. We are eternally grateful for the grace, hope, and peace you give us through our relationship with Him.