The Bread of Life

John 6:35  ‘And Jesus said unto them, I AM the Bread of Life: he who comes to Me shall never hunger; and he who believes on Me shall never thirst.’

At one time bread was an essential food at every meal and was referred to as the ‘staff of life.’  No doubt this is one reason why Jesus used this metaphor in describing His life-giving attribute.  Jesus had on the previous day fed the five thousand, and spoke to a crowd, who for the most part were interested in having their physical hunger needs met.  Some felt that He was offering them manna as God had supplied to the Israelites.  Even when Jesus tried to explain that the bread He was offering was spiritual food, many who heard Him did not understand or were disinterested.  The same problem is prevalent today – in spite of the fact that people have unsatisfied spiritual  ‘hunger and thirst’ in their soul, they choose to settle for physical food and other pleasures rather than turn to the One who can supply real contentment and fulfilment.

Those listening to Jesus were even more confused when He informed them in verses 51-54 that they were to ‘eat My flesh and drink My blood.’  Rather than telling them to eat and drink physically, Jesus was inviting them to receive His life into their spirits through faith and repentance.  By ‘coming and believing’, Jesus was offering to satisfy their spiritual hunger and quench their spiritual thirst on a permanent basis.  Not only does Christ give new life but He provides the sustaining nourishment every soul needs to survive and grow.  Are you hungry for the bread of life?  Only Jesus can meet your need.  ‘Seek the Lord while He may be found.’ (Isaiah 55:6)



 

 

I AM the Vine

John 15:1 ‘I AM the true Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.’

In the Old Testament, the Jewish people were often referred to as a vine which was planted by God. Even though the Jews are God’s chosen people, their record of obedience leaves much to be desired. Often God has accused them of spiritual adultery, and has had to chastise them for their unfaithfulness and waywardness. While Israel was an imperfect vine, in this verse, Jesus describes Himself as the true Vine. In contrast to the history of the Israelites, Jesus is the example of perfect obedience to the Father’s will, even to the point of death. This is one reason why Jesus could allude to Himself as the true Vine. In this allegory, Jesus is the Vine or main stem and His children are the branches. And as with a natural vine, the branches cannot survive unless they are fed and nourished by the stem.

As we saw in the previous devotional, Jesus is the source and substance of all truth. Just as a vine is considered by many as the most perfect of plants, Jesus is the only perfect man. The grapevine is one of the most prolific producers of fruit among all plants. Likewise, when Jesus is Lord of a person’s life, His Holy Spirit will produce an abundance of good fruit. One of the vinedresser’s primary responsibilities is to prune dead branches from the vine. As Jesus explains in a later verse, His Father is the One who will purge the unfruitful branches. No doubt this also has reference to the pruning work that goes on in Christians to make them fruitful and more like Christ. The divine influences of Jesus and His Father work to ensure believers become mature Christians in a life of fruitfulness.

 

1 I am the vine, and ye are the branches,
Bear precious fruit for Jesus to-day;
The branch that in me no fruit ever beareth,
Jesus hath said, "He taketh away."
Refrain:
"I am the vine, and ye are the branches,
I am the vine, be faithful and true;
Ask what ye will, your prayer shall be granted;
The Father loved me, so I have loved thee."

2 Now ye are clean, thro' words I have spoken,
Abiding in me, much fruit ye shall bear;
"Dwelling in thee, my promise unbroken,
Glory in heaven with me ye shall share." [Refrain]

3 Yes, by your fruits the world is to know you,
Walking in love as children of day;
Follow your Guide, he passed on before you,
Leading to realms of glorious day. [Ref

The Way, the Truth, the Life

John 14:6 ‘Jesus said unto him, I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man comes to the Father, but by Me.’

God has placed within all people a desire to seek and find spiritual fulfilment. However there are a myriad of opinions and philosophies which claim to have the solutions to all of man’s spiritual questions. Even within the plethora of Christian religions there is often wide disagreement on just how to attain the spiritual enlightenment needed to gain salvation and entrance into eternal life. In a world that boasts of many ways to the same destination, various definitions of truth and countless opinions on what constitutes life, we have Jesus declaring that He is the embodiment of all three. Of each of these we may ask: what is the way, what is the truth and what is the life? Jesus is the Way in that He is not only the path to salvation, but He also is the means, having purchased our passage on the cross. He is the bridge that spans the gulf between a Holy God and sinful mankind. He is also the truth, in that He has within Himself all the truths of the gospel representing the true and living God and His attributes. As for life, Jesus is the author and of all life, physical and spiritual. In contrast to the law, which has no ability to give a person new life, Jesus through His Holy Spirit generates new and abundant life when received by faith. In summary, Jesus can be said to be the true Way to eternal life. 1Timothy 2:5 says there is ‘one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus’. Likewise, Jesus Himself says that ‘no man comes to the Father but by Him.’ Whether for salvation or communion with God, Jesus is the ‘total package’ – nothing or nobody else is required.

Resurrection and Life

John 11:25  'Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.'

This is one of the great promises of the Bible.  It is a verse which is often used in funeral services to give hope and assurance to mourners.  Jesus was speaking to Martha about the death of her brother Lazarus, attempting to convey to her the fact of His resurrection power; that is, His power to give life even to the dead.  Through His resurrection from the dead, Jesus had demonstrated that death had no power over Him.  Before His crucifixion, Jesus had assured His disciples that 'because He lived they also would live.'  And although they did not fully understand the meaning of those words, it was assurance that those who believed in Him would live with Him forever.

This verse contains a dual hope for all mankind.  First, it promises that all who believe and receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour, will no longer be 'dead in their trespasses and sins', but will receive new life in Christ.  Secondly, although this life does not exempt the recipient from physical death, it promises a resurrection to new life in the kingdom of God.  While excitement often accompanies a sinner receiving new life in Christ, it will not be comparable to the rapture experienced when Jesus returns for His saints and receives them into Glory.  As we are told in 1 John 3:2, when He returns, not only will we be with Christ but we will be like him, now living in a glorified body and having perfect knowledge and understanding.  What a day that will be!  It befits us to be ready.

The Good Shepherd

John 10:11  ‘I AM the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.’

The occupation of shepherd was considered one of the lowest, menial types of work in the Mid-eastern culture, and was even despised by many.  Yet throughout the Bible God chooses to use the metaphor of shepherds to illustrate His relationship with humanity.  Probably the best example is found in the well known Psalm  23 which begins with the phrase ‘The Lord is my Shepherd.’  And even before David’s time, Moses described his congregation as ‘sheep which have no shepherd.’  (Numbers 27:17)  When Jesus was born, God chose angels to announce His birth to group of shepherds, probably in part to show that He is no respecter of persons, and values the life of each person or group equally.

In today’s verse Jesus calls Himself the ‘Good Shepherd’.  As the Good Shepherd, Jesus knows His sheep and they know Him.  However the Good Shepherd knows His flock more intimately than any human shepherd, and is therefore in a much better position to meet their needs.  Although sheep are considered of all animals most dumb, and likely to stray, they know their shepherd, and will only obey and follow him.  So it is with us who know and trust the Good Shepherd.  We realize that only He can manage our lives, ensure that we are guided to ‘good pastures’, and are protected from the wiles and snares of the evil one.  The Good Shepherd Jesus has willingly made the ultimate sacrifice of laying down His life for His flock.  Now, as a result of His death and resurrection, we have the opportunity to choose abundant life here as sheep of the Good Shepherd’s flock, and the privilege of spending eternal life in the sheepfold of heaven.