Real Nourishment

John 6:47-59

Do you ever wish you could go back to a simpler time? A time when life wasn't so hectic, and there weren't so many demands placed on your life? I've had those nostalgic moments. They always end with a thump back to reality, though. You see, the times may on the surface look simpler - until I think about cooking a meal. Or having enough water for the day. Or doing laundry - ugh! I'm trying to imagine hauling our clothes outside, heating water, making my own soap, scrubbing the heavy, wet clothes then hanging them on a line, waiting for them to dry, hauling them back in and ironing it all. I'm a little distracted by the sound of my washing machine that required the touch of a few buttons to get going - the reality of now isn't so bad in that light!

Bread for a meal was one of those daunting tasks like laundry. You needed grain. It had to be ground. The dough was made, and if it was leavened you waited for it to rise. Then it had to be cooked - which involved another procedure to get the fuel for the fire. When you were finished and wanted to clean up there was water to be hauled.

When we look at things this way, it's easier to understand why the crowd that followed Jesus wanted Him to feed them every day. It makes it easy to see why the Samaritan woman wanted the living water Jesus told her about.

God knows we have these needs. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink...Is not life more important than food...?"

The answer to His question is yes! A little further in Matthew 6 at verse 35 we read, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Not just seeking the physical bread the crowd was looking for, but seeking the real nourishment we need. It only comes from Him. He tells the crowd in John 6:48 that He is the bread of life. The physical bread they eat will not keep them from dying. Jesus alone can give them eternal life.

His flesh would be sacrificed and His blood poured out at the cross. To unite ourselves with Him in belief provides the nourishment our dying spirit needs. Without Jesus, "you have no life in you".

I'm not going to pretend that this passage of Scripture is clear as day to me. "This is a hard saying ..." according to many of His disciples - and I agree with that. But if we ask God to reveal what He wants us to understand - He will. Keep studying, listening to the Word when it is preached and asking God for wisdom. We can come back to this Scripture again, and if anyone has been given insight - please share!