Jesus: Our Eternal Bread of Life and Nourishment
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound symbolism of bread in the Bible, particularly focusing on its role in the Old Testament and its fulfillment in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life. We began by reflecting on the physical and spiritual nourishment that bread represents in our lives, drawing from personal experiences and biblical narratives to deepen our understanding of God's provision and presence.
We delved into the Old Testament, where bread was a staple in the daily lives of the Israelites and a key element in their worship practices. The Bread of the Presence, or showbread, which was kept in the Tabernacle, was a constant reminder of God's ongoing provision and covenant with His people. This bread, placed on a table made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, symbolized the sustenance and sanctity provided by God to the twelve tribes of Israel, represented by the twelve loaves.
Transitioning to the New Testament, I highlighted how Jesus redefines the concept of bread in John 6:35, where He declares Himself as the "Bread of Life." This statement not only links back to the physical bread that sustained the Israelites but also introduces a spiritual dimension that fulfills and transcends the Old Testament practices. Jesus, our spiritual nourishment, offers Himself as the perpetual source of life, satisfying our deepest hungers and providing access to God's presence through His sacrifice.
Throughout the sermon, I emphasized the importance of gratitude and humility in our approach to God's provisions. Reflecting on the low height of the table in the Tabernacle, which required the priests to bow down, serves as a metaphor for our need to approach God with a posture of humility. This physical act of bowing to access the bread underscores the spiritual attitude we must cultivate to truly appreciate and commune with God.
Moreover, I discussed the ongoing work of the priests in the Old Testament, who never sat down in the Tabernacle, symbolizing the never-ending nature of their ministry. In contrast, Jesus, our High Priest, completed the work once and for all by offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, allowing us to enter into a permanent rest in His presence.
In conclusion, the sermon called on each of us to actively feed on Jesus, the Bread of Life, by engaging with the Word of God, participating in communal worship, and living out the teachings of Christ in our daily lives. By doing so, we maintain our spiritual health and grow in our relationship with God, ensuring that we are nourished and equipped to face the challenges of life with faith and gratitude.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Historical and Spiritual Significance of Bread
Bread, a basic dietary item, was elevated in the scriptures to represent God's provision and presence. In the Old Testament, the Bread of the Presence served as a physical reminder of God's promise and sustenance to the Israelites. This teaches us to see God's hand in our everyday provisions and to remember His promises in our daily lives. [52:30]
2. Jesus as the Bread of Life
Jesus redefined the symbolism of bread by declaring Himself the Bread of Life, offering eternal spiritual nourishment that the physical bread could never provide. This statement invites us to rely wholly on Him for our spiritual sustenance and well-being, encouraging a deeper, more personal relationship with Christ. [58:36]
3. The Importance of a Humble Approach to God
The design of the Tabernacle, particularly the low height of the table for the Bread of the Presence, taught the priests the importance of humility before God. This physical posture reflects the spiritual posture we should adopt—recognizing our dependence on God and approaching Him with reverence and awe. [53:52]
4. The Perpetual Ministry of Christ Compared to the Levitical Priests
Unlike the Levitical priests who stood daily ministering and offering sacrifices that could never fully atone for sins, Christ, our High Priest, sat down at the right hand of God after offering Himself once for all. This completed act of atonement brings us into a permanent relationship with God, where we can rest in His finished work. [55:58]
5. Practical Ways to Feed on Christ
Feeding on Christ involves more than just hearing the Word; it includes active engagement—prayer, worship, and obedience. As we apply Christ's teachings to our lives, we experience the fullness of His presence and power, which sustains us spiritually just as physical food sustains our bodies. This ongoing spiritual nourishment is essential for our growth and effectiveness as believers. [01:02:07]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
36:21 - Introduction to the Bread of Life
38:55 - Bread as a Staple in Biblical Times
40:23 - Exploring the Tabernacle and the Bread of the Presence
46:41 - Fellowship and Provision through the Bread
52:30 - Gratitude and God's Daily Provisions
55:58 - Christ's Fulfillment of the Priestly Work
58:36 - Jesus, the Eternal Bread of Life
01:02:07 - Applying the Word to Our Lives
01:06:48 - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 6:35 - "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'"
2. Leviticus 24:5-9 - "You must bake twelve flat loaves of bread, from choice flour, using four quarts of flour for each loaf. Place the bread before the Lord on the pure gold table, and arrange the loaves in two stacks with six loaves in each stack. Put some pure frankincense near each stack to serve as a representative offering, a special gift presented to the Lord. Every Sabbath day this bread must be laid out before the Lord as a gift from the Israelites. It is an ongoing expression of the eternal covenant. The loaves of the bread will belong to Aaron and his descendants, who must eat them in a sacred place, for they are most holy. It is a permanent right of the priests to claim this portion of the special gifts presented to the Lord."
3. Hebrews 10:11-12 - "Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of the Bread of the Presence in the Old Testament, and how was it used in the Tabernacle? ([43:29])
2. How does Jesus redefine the concept of bread in John 6:35, and what does He promise to those who come to Him? ([56:37])
3. What does the low height of the table for the Bread of the Presence symbolize about our approach to God? ([53:14])
4. How does the perpetual ministry of the Levitical priests compare to the completed work of Jesus as described in Hebrews 10:11-12? ([55:12])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the Bread of the Presence teach us about God's provision and covenant with His people in the Old Testament? ([43:29])
2. How does Jesus being the "Bread of Life" fulfill and transcend the Old Testament practices related to bread? ([56:37])
3. Why is humility important in our approach to God, and how is this reflected in the design of the Tabernacle? ([53:14])
4. What does it mean for us today that Jesus' sacrifice was once and for all, and how does this impact our relationship with God? ([55:12])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in your life. How did this experience deepen your faith and gratitude? ([50:02])
2. Jesus invites us to rely on Him for our spiritual nourishment. What are some practical ways you can "feed on Christ" daily? ([01:02:07])
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of humility in approaching God. How can you cultivate a posture of humility in your daily spiritual practices? ([53:14])
4. In what ways can you actively engage with the Word of God and participate in communal worship to maintain your spiritual health? ([01:02:07])
5. The priests in the Old Testament had ongoing work, but Jesus completed His work on the cross. How does this truth bring you comfort and assurance in your faith journey? ([55:12])
6. Consider the areas in your life where you might be taking God's provisions for granted. How can you develop a more grateful heart? ([51:19])
7. How can you apply the teachings of Christ in your daily life to ensure you are spiritually nourished and equipped to face life's challenges? ([01:02:07])
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing God's Provision in Daily Life
God's provision is often most evident in the simplest elements of our lives, such as the daily bread we consume. This idea is deeply rooted in the historical and spiritual significance of bread as depicted in the scriptures. In the Old Testament, the Bread of the Presence served as a tangible reminder of God's ongoing promise and sustenance to the Israelites. This historical context invites believers to perceive God's hand not only in miraculous provisions but also in the mundane aspects of daily life. By acknowledging and giving thanks for these provisions, believers can cultivate a deeper appreciation and reliance on God. [52:30]
Exodus 16:15-18 (ESV): "When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, 'What is it?' For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, 'It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer, according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.’'"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a daily practice of recognizing and giving thanks for God's provisions in your life?
Day 2: Jesus, Our Eternal Spiritual Nourishment
Jesus redefined the concept of bread from a mere dietary staple to a symbol of eternal spiritual nourishment. By declaring Himself the Bread of Life, He offered a spiritual sustenance that transcends the physical and satisfies our deepest spiritual hungers. This declaration is not just a theological statement but an invitation to depend wholly on Him for our spiritual well-being. Engaging deeply with Jesus, the Bread of Life, means seeking Him in prayer, scripture, and worship, allowing His life to fill and transform us. [58:36]
John 6:51 (ESV): "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."
Reflection: In what ways can you more fully rely on Jesus as your source of spiritual nourishment daily?
Day 3: Embracing Humility in Our Approach to God
The design of the Tabernacle, specifically the low height of the table for the Bread of the Presence, taught the importance of humility before God. This physical posture of bowing down to access the bread is a powerful metaphor for the spiritual posture believers are called to adopt. Approaching God with humility involves recognizing our dependence on Him and revering Him with awe. This attitude is crucial for developing a genuine and deep relationship with God, where His presence can truly be appreciated and revered. [53:52]
Leviticus 24:5-6 (ESV): "You shall take fine flour and bake twelve loaves from it; two tenths of an ephah shall be in each loaf. And you shall set them in two piles, six in a pile, on the table of pure gold before the Lord."
Reflection: What are practical ways you can demonstrate humility in your daily interactions and spiritual practices?
Day 4: Christ's Completed Work Brings Us Rest
Unlike the Levitical priests who continually stood and performed sacrifices, Jesus, our High Priest, completed His sacrificial work once and for all by offering Himself. This act allows believers to enter into a permanent rest in His presence, a rest that signifies a completed atonement and an ongoing, unbreakable relationship with God. Understanding and embracing this truth can transform how we live, freeing us from striving for salvation and enabling us to rest in His grace and provision. [55:58]
Hebrews 10:12-14 (ESV): "But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."
Reflection: How does understanding Christ's completed work change your daily spiritual life and your view of God's rest?
Day 5: Actively Feeding on Christ in Daily Life
Feeding on Christ involves more than passive reception; it requires active engagement with His Word, participation in worship, and obedience to His teachings. This active feeding is essential for maintaining spiritual health and growth. As believers apply the teachings of Christ to their lives, they experience the fullness of His presence and power, which sustains them just as physical food sustains the body. This ongoing spiritual nourishment is crucial for effective living and ministry. [01:02:07]
1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV): "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good."
Reflection: What are specific ways you can actively feed on Christ this week through prayer, worship, and obedience?
Quotes
"You are what you eat. Feed on the word of God. Spend time in his presence. Seek his face. Seek to really know the Lord and stay connected. You know, this is hard. I was thinking, you know, there are times when as a pastor, you really need to live this better. This is one of those kind of messages." [01:04:33]
"You want to be a spiritual athlete? You want to be somebody who's doing great things for God? You should start eating like Michael Phelps. Spiritually speaking, you need more of Jesus in your life. You need more of the Lord and his presence in your life." [01:06:10]
"It's not just about learning God's word though. It's about applying it to your life. Jesus, when he's talking to the Samaritan woman, and he's at the well, and the disciples are like, do you want some food? And he says, I have food to eat that you don't know about." [01:02:07]
"God both gives the physical ability to work and it also goes away the older we get and sometimes through unfortunate situations in life. But it's a gift. We tend to take it for granted, but we don't work without God sustaining us. Also, who gives you the ability to buy that bread?" [49:23]
"The bread of the presence was eaten with people who are humble. There's also no chairs in the tabernacle. As somebody who, you know, ministers before the Lord, it would be really annoying if I never got to sit in a chair. In the tabernacle, nowhere are the priests ever allowed to really sit down because there's no chairs." [55:12]
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