Jesus: The Bread of Life and Our Responsibility

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Role as Christ's Messengers

The call to share the bread of life with others is a profound responsibility for every believer who has encountered the transformative power of Jesus. It is not merely a privilege but a duty that stems from the overflow of gratitude for the personal redemption one has experienced. Believers are not the source of spiritual nourishment but rather the vessels through which the sustenance of Christ's love and grace is delivered to a world in desperate need. This mission is about pointing others to Jesus, the true source of eternal satisfaction, and inviting them to partake in the life He offers. [43:32]

"Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.'" - John 6:35-36 ESV

Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from the hope and love found in Jesus, and how can you actively share this with them this week?

Day 2: Finding Strength in Our Wilderness

Life's wilderness experiences are inevitable, and they serve as powerful reminders of our need for Jesus, the bread of life. Whether one is facing trials, uncertainties, or periods of spiritual dryness, it is in these moments that the constancy of Jesus' provision becomes most evident. His strength, peace, and joy are the sustenance that carries believers through every season. In the wilderness, the illusion of self-sufficiency fades, and the reality of dependence on Christ becomes clear. He is the one who nourishes and upholds in every circumstance. [45:47]

"He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers." - Psalm 78:15-16 ESV

Reflection: In what ways has Jesus been your sustenance during a recent wilderness experience, and how can you cultivate a deeper reliance on Him moving forward?

Day 3: The Paradox of Good Friday

Good Friday stands as a paradoxical day that brought immense suffering to Jesus yet offered healing and redemption to humanity. It is a stark reminder of the depth of God's love and the lengths to which He went to reconcile sinners to Himself. The horrific crucifixion of Jesus fulfilled ancient prophecies and demonstrated that the darkest moments can indeed lead to the greatest victories. This day calls believers to reflect on the cost of their salvation and the profound love that held Jesus to the cross. [57:55]

"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." - Isaiah 53:4-5 ESV

Reflection: How does the reality of Good Friday challenge you to live differently, knowing the price that was paid for your freedom?

Day 4: The Sacred Act of Communion

Communion is a sacred tradition that not only connects believers to the sacrifice of Jesus but also to one another as members of His body. It is a time of reflection on the cost of salvation and the love that compelled Jesus to endure the cross. This act of unity serves as a reminder that Jesus' body was broken for healing and His blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. It is a profound expression of the covenant between God and His people, highlighting the satisfaction that only Jesus can provide. [01:04:07]

"Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." - 1 Corinthians 10:17 ESV

Reflection: As you partake in communion, what aspects of Jesus' sacrifice do you need to meditate on more deeply, and how does this practice enhance your connection to the body of Christ?

Day 5: The Unparalleled Satisfaction in Jesus

The satisfaction that Jesus offers is unparalleled and cannot be replicated by any earthly substitute. In Him alone, the voids of the heart are filled, and the spiritual thirst is quenched. As believers draw near to Jesus, they discover that He is the source of true fulfillment and contentment. This truth is not just for personal edification but also for sharing with others, inviting them to experience the life-changing power of Jesus and the eternal satisfaction He provides. [54:44]

"For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." - Psalm 107:9 ESV

Reflection: What are the substitutes you've been seeking for satisfaction, and how can you begin to turn those areas of your life over to Jesus for true fulfillment?

Sermon Summary

In my sermon today, I focused on the profound truth that Jesus is the bread of life, and the implications this has for us as believers. I began by addressing the responsibility we have as followers of Jesus to share the transformative power of Christ with others. It is not enough to experience the life-changing love of Jesus and keep it to ourselves; we must also deliver this bread of life to those around us.

I emphasized that we are not the creators of this bread; we are not the saviors, lords, or messiahs. Our role is to point people to Jesus, the true provider and sustainer of all our needs. This is not just an opportunity but a responsibility born out of gratitude for what He has done in our lives.

I also touched on the reality of life's wilderness experiences. Whether we are entering, enduring, or exiting a wilderness, we all need Jesus to sustain us. It is in these challenging times that we are reminded of our dependence on Him, the bread of life, who alone can provide the strength, peace, and joy we need.

As we approach Easter, I reflected on the significance of Good Friday, a day that was horrific for Jesus but ultimately good for us because it is when our sins were atoned for by His sacrifice. Jesus' suffering and death on the cross were the ultimate fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53, which speaks of the Messiah bearing our griefs, carrying our sorrows, and being pierced for our transgressions.

In preparation for Easter, we participated in communion, a symbolic act that reminds us of Jesus' body broken for our healing and His blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins. This act of unity between us and God highlights the truth that only Jesus satisfies our deepest needs and longings.

Finally, I encouraged the congregation to live out this truth by inviting others to join us for Easter services, where they can experience the life-changing power of Jesus for themselves.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jesus mean when He says, "I am the bread of life" in John 6:35? How does this statement relate to the physical and spiritual needs of people? [37:37]
According to Isaiah 53:4-5, what did the Messiah endure for humanity, and what are the results of His suffering?
In Matthew 26:26-28, what is the significance of Jesus breaking the bread and sharing the cup with His disciples? How does this act relate to the concept of communion mentioned in the sermon? [01:03:31]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of Jesus as the "bread of life" challenge the way we seek fulfillment in our daily lives? [36:59]
Reflecting on Isaiah 53:4-5, how does understanding the depth of Jesus' suffering impact our view of His love and sacrifice for us? [55:23]
What does the act of communion symbolize in the life of a believer, and why is it important to participate in this tradition? [01:03:31]
How can the wilderness experiences in our lives serve as reminders of our dependence on Jesus, the bread of life? [45:47]

Application Questions

Think about a time when you felt spiritually hungry or unfulfilled. How did you try to satisfy that hunger, and how might turning to Jesus as the bread of life have made a difference? [36:59]
In what ways can you share the "bread of life" with others in your community? Identify one specific person you can invite to experience the life-changing power of Jesus this week. [43:32]
Reflect on a recent wilderness experience in your life. How did you see Jesus providing for you during that time? How can you remind yourself of His provision in future challenges? [45:47]
As we approach Easter, how can you make the significance of Good Friday more personal in your life? What steps can you take to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice and its impact on your salvation? [57:55]
Communion is a time to remember Jesus' sacrifice. How can you prepare your heart and mind to participate in communion more meaningfully? What specific actions can you take to reflect on the cost of your salvation? [01:03:31]
Identify one area in your life where you have been seeking satisfaction from worldly sources. What changes can you make to seek fulfillment in Jesus instead? [54:44]
How can you live out the truth that only Jesus satisfies in your daily interactions and decisions? Share one practical step you will take this week to draw nearer to Him. [54:44]

Sermon Clips

1) "It is irresponsible of us not to deliver the bread of life to others. It is not fair, it is not right, it is not even biblical for us to go, 'Jesus, you changed my life, but I will not share that with others.' I don't create the bread, I am not the Savior, I am not the Lord, I am not the Messiah, neither are you, but I get to point people to him." [43:32 ]( | | )

2) "No matter where you are in life, no matter how old you are, no matter how many times you've gone to church, you are either going into a Wilderness, walking through a Wilderness, or coming out of a Wilderness. We all need Jesus to provide while we're in the wilderness, we all need the bread of life, the sustainer and the provider of Our Lives to get us through." [45:47 ]( | | )

3) "You are not everything that you need in your life. In fact, I'll tell you this, you are not enough... you may be enough to get the promotion, you may be enough to find more paychecks, but you are not enough to pay for the Eternal debt that we owe through sin to get our relationship restored with Jesus, with God. Jesus is enough because he is the bread of life that we need." [47:18 ]( | | )

4) "Jesus is saying you don't have to search for the miracle of the Mana all the time if you have me. I am the bread of life. The miracle is not the bread, the miracle will not sustain you, the moments will not sustain you, it is me and only me that will sustain you." [50:06 ]( | | )

5) "There are no Alternatives in this life that fulfill us like Jesus does. I've tried many of them, and the reality is there is no alternative, there is nothing else... Jesus says I am the bread of life and if you eat of me, you will never hunger again, if you drink of me, you will never thirst again." [49:01 ]( | | )

6) "Only Jesus satisfies. In fact, in John chapter 6 verse 51, 'I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.' It's a direct correlation to Isaiah chapter 53, which speaks of the Messiah bearing our griefs, carrying our sorrows, and being pierced for our transgressions." [54:44 ]( | | )

7) "Good Friday was horrific for Jesus but ultimately good for us because it is when our sins were atoned for by His sacrifice. It's called Good Friday because that is the day where by his stripes you and I were healed, where our iniquity was spoken for by the sacrifice of Jesus. Why? Because he is the bread of life." [57:55 ]( | | )

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