I’m baking bread this morning; well, I will be after the dough rises. Actually I just finished the kneading; now that was a workout. (It made me appreciate all my Grandma’s fresh bread – at least six loaves every Saturday! How did she do it?)

This got me thinking about all the references to bread in the Bible. In His miracles, Jesus fed the hungry crowds with bread and fish. Picture 5,000 hungry people, a small boy’s lunch, and then a miraculous feeding. At the time of Jesus, bread was the main sustenance of ordinary people, usually a coarse bread made from barley. The thriving fishing industry meant that fish was also a big part of their diet. Although they also enjoyed vegetables, fruits and nuts, when Jesus fed the multitudes He used the foods basic to ordinary people – bread and fish.

In John, chapter 6, Jesus says “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” And again, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” Picture the listening ears of the Israelites – Jesus did not compare Himself to their olives, honey or wine. He said “I am the BREAD.” He is bread like no other, our almighty and all powerful sustenance.

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread.” In these simple words we are reminded to ask for all that sustains us. And miracle of miracles, our God in His unconditional love has promised to provide.

Together we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Judy