About Bread, Body, and Belief

Scripture: Then they asked Him, “What shall we do that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” Therefore they said to Him, “What sign do You show then, that we may see and believe You? What work will You perform? Our fathers ate manna in the desert. As it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Then Jesus said, “Truly, truly I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:28-33

Observation: This large passage eventually culminates with many disciples turning away from Jesus, as his teaching is too difficult. The interesting thing is that this teaching is actually quite simple, but uses a metaphor that is confusing, and the metaphor was originated by the followers.

The simple message is this: The true "work" or service to God is to simply believe in the Messiah. However, the believers in response ask for another sign from Jesus, and bring up manna, which leads Jesus to talk about the bread of life and the true bread of heaven - metaphorically, the Messiah - and thus "eating" of THAT bread ... belief in Messiah. It isn't all that difficult.

Therefore, this is what is difficult, that they must have faith. They cannot just go 'do' something, and as a reward be handed some miracle that will provide sustenance in their lives, be that the manna their ancestors received or the bread they were fed just yesterday. Instead, they must have faith, and the result of that faith will be the presence of Jesus, which of course in their minds does not provide for their daily needs. They see total intangibility in this equation ... their faith is not visible work performed by their body, and the reward does not fulfill their bodily needs. (This attitude Jesus addresses in verse 63, saying, "It is the Spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing.")

Application: The "hard" part of Jesus' teach has always been this ... we are all body-centric when it comes to our thinking, and Jesus was always spirit-centric. We think we should do physical work for physical rewards. Jesus wants us to do spiritual work for spiritual rewards.

Spiritual work is faith in Jesus, love of God, and through that love bestowing justice and mercy on others. Spiritual reward is peace of mind, gentleness of heart, and joy in life come what may. God will provide our daily bread, not as a reward for physical work but because he loves us. Working for it is superfluous.

I am probably getting half of this 'spiritual work' right - the faith in Jesus and love of God. And I am probably getting half the spiritual rewards - occasional joy and peace. Maybe the teaching is hard after all, because I can't seem to fully live into it yet.

Prayer: Lord, please do give me this daily my daily bread, and forgive me of my sins. At the same time, guide me in your will and your way toward others. I will seek mercy, kindness, and justice, as a reflection of your love. Amen.