Bread

Give us today our daily bread.
Matthew 6:11 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will
never be hungry again. John 6:35a New Living Translation (NLT)

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Luke 22:19 New International Version (NIV)

I love bread, all bread. It fills, nourishes, and energizes – and it tastes good. Remember the sourdough “starter” that makes the rounds every so often? It quickly grows so far beyond individual needs that people are forced to give it away. And remember when Christ blessed the boy’s lunch? The five loaves were multiplied above and beyond the need.

There are certain requirements for making bread. Yeast must be added carefully to keep from killing it before it can work. Next the dough must be kneaded. Then it must “prove” in a warm place and given time to rise. Failing to follow the steps or denying it the time it needs, and there won’t be decent bread, or any bread at all.

But if I respect the process, I will have bread – maybe even some to share.

The same is true in me. If I want the Bread of Life to nourish me, it must be given time. I can expect to be “kneaded” and “proved.” If I inhibit the process, I will remain empty, undernourished and exhausted. With nothing to give.

Jesus is the Bread of Life that feeds us so that we can feed others. I am determined to give His Life in me the time to rise to its full potential.

Because look what Jesus can do with just five small loaves!

One morning I was reading the story of Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand. The disciples could find only five loaves of bread and two fishes. ‘Let me have them,’ said Jesus. He asked for all. He took them, said the blessing, and broke them before He gave them out. I remembered what a chapel speaker…had said: ‘If my life is broken when given to Jesus, it is because pieces will feed a multitude, while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad.’ Elisabeth Elliot