The Most Stable Staple

You have something in common with every other human who has ever lived: You require food. Without food, you not only become a bit cranky but given enough time, you will die. Food is essential for life.

Food is an essential topic of conversation: “Where do you want to eat?” “Let’s do DoorDash.” “How’s the diet going?” “I’m trying to cut my carbs!” “The price of food has gone up so much!” “We can’t find baby formula.” And so on.

Depending upon economic, societal, and cultural circumstances, access to food can be the basis for conflict up to and including war. The need for nourishment is so great that whole people groups have been displaced and destroyed by those seeking sustenance.

You may have been the victim of a severe sustenance-seeker. If not, try stepping in front of someone in line at In-N-Out Burger. It will be a quick lesson on how serious people can be about their need for food, not to mention their craving for a Double-Double with fries.

The requirement to eat is why it’s a perfect illustration of humanity’s universal need for Jesus. People look to food for satisfaction because it satiates their hunger. The problem is it’s temporary. The answer is that Jesus offers the only lasting solution.

Jesus encountered crowds of sustenance-seekers. As He carried out His earthly ministry, the masses grew. They gathered to receive miracles, to hear Jesus’ fantastic teaching, to receive healing, and to be fed physical food. The multitudes, sometimes spending days together, many coming from poverty-stricken areas, got hungry.

They knew it would be a small thing for Jesus, the miracle worker, to provide them with hunger-satiating food. He did it with loaves of bread and fish. So Jesus took the opportunity to assure them that “I am the bread of life.” If they want bread, He’ll give them bread. But Jesus is not that kind of bread: “…he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” Would that answer have given the people comfort? Author Charles Allen tells this story:

As World War II was drawing to a close, the Allied armies gathered up many hungry orphans. They were placed in camps where they were well-fed. Despite excellent care, they slept poorly. They seemed nervous and afraid. Finally, a psychologist came up with the solution. Each child was given a piece of bread to hold after he was put to bed. This particular piece of bread was just to be held—not eaten. The piece of bread produced wonderful results. The children went to bed knowing instinctively they would have food to eat the next day. That guarantee gave the children a restful and contented sleep.

(SOURCE: Quinton Morrow in “I am the Bread of Life” on www.sermoncentral.com) 

The orphans were comfortable knowing the bread was there, giving them hope for the future. But one does not truly experience the benefits of the bread until one consumes it. And until we appropriate Christ in our lives, His life-giving help and infinite peace and joy are not part of our reality.

There are those content with knowing that Jesus is available to them. If they need Him, they feel He’s at their disposal. However, to fully access all His life-giving promises, making Him a genuine part of our lives is necessary. We are to be “baptized into Christ” and to “put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). Jesus expects us to make Him the Supreme Staple of our lives!

“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” ─John 6:54