Through the a study of the book of James, I learned that 80% of the food consumed during biblical times was bread. It was an essential source to the poor and rich. They both had bread in their homes. They could not survive without it. This is why Jesus declares that He is the bread of life. There are three lessons we can learn from this “I AM” declaration of Christ.
Seek the Bread of Life.
25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. 27 Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal of approval on him John 6:25-27
The prior verses described Jesus performing a great miracle. He turned a few fish and loaves of bread into a feast for 5000 plus people. The problem was, the people were seeking Jesus, not for spiritual benefit, but material benefit. I read somewhere, someone said it best, Men are nailed to the things of this life.
Earthy food perishes, but the food Jesus gives endures forever.
Do you follow Jesus for earthly benefits?
We are not to be as the mass of people were. They only followed Jesus for what He could give them. We are to value Christ above all things on this earth and follow Him for who HE IS not what he can give.
Christ Alone Satisfies.
The second thing we can gleam from scripture is that Jesus can satisfy our spiritual hunger.
32 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, Moses didn’t give you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 Then they said, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.
John 6:32-35
Jesus is the bread of life. Jesus is the most important part of life. He is better than what this world offers! Every human being was created by God. Within every human spirit is a desire than can not be satisfied by the world. God made us this way, so that we would seek Him and not the world! Even non-believers have this deep desire in them. Unfortunately, people try to fill this need with the junk of the world and they wonder why they do not feel satisfied. As followers of Christ, we do not need to look to the world. We do not need the world to satisfy our spiritual need. No one can cure the emptiness in our hearts, except Christ.
Continually Eat.
Jesus is not a once a year Thanksgiving celebration. Jesus is not a sunday supper. We must continually feed on Christ.
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the manna your ancestors ate—and they died. The one who eats this bread will live forever.” John 6:51,57-58
We can not live on a physical satisfaction, alone. We need to constantly feed on the bread of life to live. This means getting in the Word of God and fellowshipping with Christ through prayer. The Word brings the satisfaction and fulfillment our heart desires. The best part, you do not have to worry about overeating! The more you feed on Jesus, the more spiritually healthy you become!
Consider today: what are you feasting on? What do you feed your spirit? Are you starving and needing a Word?
I AM the Bread of Life: Christ alone can satisfy our spiritual hunger and we must continually feed on Him!
16 They will no longer hunger;
they will no longer thirst;
the sun will no longer strike them,
nor will any scorching heat.
Revelation 7:16
I AM who I AM
I AM: the Bread of Life
I AM: the Light of the World
I AM: the Door
I AM: the Good Shepherd
I AM: the Resurrection and Life
I AM: the Way, the Truth, the Life
I AM: the True Vine
It Starts Small 
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