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

     Why do we eat?  I mean, why do we really eat breakfast, lunch and supper?  Why do we eat such expensive foods, at restaurants and at our homes?
     Many of us will answer that question, "because we love our..... (and you fill in your favorite foods).
     But of course, there is more than just the taste of favorite foods that gets us to eat.  Food is necessary for keeping us alive (at least some of what we eat).  And meals are also the times when we have some good conversations, as families, congregations, friends, business partners, etc.
     So I'm thinking that when Jesus says he is the bread of life, he is talking about more than just the best bread that any of us have ever tasted.  As he says, he is the bread of life.  The sustenance for life.  And not just physical, temporal life.  But spiritual and eternal life!
     A freshly baked loaf of bread may provide for a family for a short time.  But Jesus provides us with spiritual and eternal life!   And as God and Lord of all creation, He also provides us with the resources and ability to grow, prepare and eat all the foods of this world.
     Maybe it's a bit like the saying, "give a person a fish, and he has food for one meal.  Teach a person how to fish, and he'll have food for every meal" 
     This reminds me of a time when I went to hear a presentation by an expert fishing guide.  And lots of people were gathered.  We all had a good meal.  And then the popular and successful fishing guide got up to speak.  And he began with words something like this:  "Here's the best advice that I can give you for how to be a successful fisherman.  Ready?  You need to go fishing where the fish are!"
    Of course, it was said somewhat as a joke; yet, we can all see the truth in it.  If a person wants to catch fish, he needs to be where there are fish.  If we want other kinds of food, we need to have the resources and be in the places where food is served.
    If we want the kind of food, the nourishment that sustains all of life, now and forever, then we need to look to Jesus, Savior and Lord of all.  And he isn't hard to find (like it may be to find where the big walleyes are).  For Jesus comes to us in Word and Sacrament.  He dwells with us every day.  And he gives us the faith and life we can have in Him!


Blessings,
Pastor Steve